PASSENGERS have been given a “use it or lose it” warning over a bus service given a reprieve by the intervention of a town council.

Windermere Town Council agreed to pick up the cost of subsidising the 597 bus last month after funding was cut by Cumbria County Council.

The council agreed to fund the bus, which is used by about 55 people every week, for a trial period until the end of March.

Town councillor Sandra Lilley said Lakeland Commercials had now been contracted to operate the service. The bus began running again on December 9.

If the council agrees to pay for the bus service after March it is estimated it will cost £10,200 a year.

The service, which takes a circular route from Windermere railway station through Droomer Estate, Windermere Park and Goodly Dale, was previously subsidised by Cumbria County Council.

However, the council decided it could not continue offering financial help and the service ended on October 31.

Cllr Lilley said: “The route is the same, except it will now go into the Windermere Health Centre before going up Thornbarrow Road.”

The service now only runs three days a week on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.

The service will not run between December 23 and January 2.

Cllr Lilley said it was important people use the service to show there was a definite need for its continued existence.

“It’s that old saying, use it or lose it,” she said.