A BINGO-loving pensioner has pleaded with a York travel company not to cancel the bus she catches to play her favourite game.

Marjorie Measures, of The Groves, said she is "really upset" with Top Line Travel's decision to cancel its Circle Line service.

The 70-year-old gets on the bus in Huntington Road and off near Mecca Bingo, in Fishergate, where she is a long-term member.

She said: "I have been going to bingo for at least 20 years, I have always gone, and I rely on that bus to get there. I go to Mecca about four times a week.

"When they stop that bus I'll still be able to get to bingo, but I'll have to change buses in town and that's no good for me because my legs aren't so good these days."

Peter Dew, managing director of Top Line Travel, said the service was withdrawn because it was not making money.

A two-year subsidy from the University of York had ended in October last year and the service was making less than half its running costs, he said.

Mr Dew said: "We were upset about withdrawing the service, but we had no choice. We agreed to keep it running for a short while to see if it could be run commercially, but it wasn't making any money.

"We are a small family business and were left with no choice."

Mecca general manager Kevin Farnsworth said: "It is a real shame to lose any customer and obviously we hope we don't lose Mrs Measures.

"Transporting people to our clubs who are unable to access public transport is something the company actively pursues, I will make some inquiries to find out what can be done in this case."

Andy Macdonald, head of facilities management at the University of York, said: "We are disappointed that Top Line feel it necessary to terminate the service.

"It was something that, with Top Line Travel, the University instigated. We provided two years of subsidy in the hope of attracting not only the public at large, but our own staff and students.

"We continue, as a University, to look for ways of encouraging our staff and students to use alternative forms of transport to the car. Regrettably this service is not viable, although Top Line Travel have offered a very good standard of service through their contract."

Updated: 10:27 Friday, May 02, 2003