A VILLAGE bus service facing the axe has been given a stay of execution.

The Arriva 42 service - which runs through Wistow, Cawood, Kelfield, Stillingfleet and Naburn to get to and from York and Selby - was under threat because of dwindling passenger numbers.

But North Yorkshire County Council has announced it has drawn up a rescue package with City of York Council.

The new council subsidies will keep the service running until at least March next year.

Arriva planned to axe the route after losing £86,000 over the past year.

The company said it had tried to promote increased usage but to no avail.

Cawood villagers campaigned to save the service and, although happy with the reprieve, have pledged to continue their fight to secure its long-term future.

Leading campaigner John Cattanach, a Selby district councillor, said: "I'm absolutely delighted - this service is a lifeline to many residents.

"It's been a hard battle and our aim now has to be to retain the 42 service after next March.

"We have to get the message over that we need a bus service that runs when people want it to run.

"Hopefully, Arriva will listen to people and rearrange their timetables to suit their passengers."

County council assistant planning and development manager John Laking said: "The 42 service offers important links into York and Selby for schoolchildren and shoppers, as well as people commuting to work.

"We consider it an important service and will endeavour to retain it.

"We will be working with Arriva over the coming months to try to safeguard the route's long-term future."

Company bosses have warned, however, that it is still a case of "use it or lose it".

Arriva commercial director Phil Booker said: "We are delighted that the local authority and Arriva have been able to work together to secure this service until next March. We hope that customers who value this service will continue to use it regularly, so that its future can be secured."

Updated: 11:01 Friday, September 02, 2005