Council chiefs have moved to allay the worries of villagers who feared their lifeline bus services might be for the chop when they "dropped off" a route map.

Concerns were raised when a number of services to villages outside York were left off First York's consultative "metro" map, which has been issued while the company rethinks its routes.

The link to villages such as Murton, Elvington and Wheldrake are ensured by City of York Council subsidies as they are not commercially viable.

Lynne Balding, who lives in Murton, said she would have a "paddy" if they stopped the services.

"It is not that many people use the service," she said.

"But those who do rely on it, especially in Elvington where there are many elderly folk.

"People are worried about whether the services will continue, they are very important to us.

"Stopping these services wouldn't affect a lot of people, but it would affect a few people a lot."

Dave Pearson, head of transport at City of York Council, said the subsidies, which amount to more than a third of a million pounds, would continue.

"The draft map is a commercial one as does not include the subsidised routes," he said.

"These are essential services and without public money they would not run.

"We will be talking to First York during this consultative period and the subsidies are set to continue."

He added that the consultation would lead to an improvement in bus services in the city.

Brian Asquith, general manager of First York, said: "We are only at the consultative stage.

"No firm decision has yet been made and the provisional routes have been drawn up by an external firm.

"These routes are very quiet and not commercially viable. They require a council subsidy for us to run them."

He added that the route maps will be drawn up after responses have been received from members of the public.

dan.rutstein@ycp.co.uk