Bus campaigners fighting to save an axed service will look to form their own transport club to fund a route through Hellesdon.

About 100 people packed into Hellesdon Parish Hall on Low Road on Wednesday night, to show their support for bringing back the 29 route, which was axed by First last year and partially replaced by the 28A.

One option discussed was to start a bus club funded by people living on the route in Low Road, Hellesdon Road and Rotary Court.

Green Party county councillor for Wensum ward, Marcus Hemsley said he would take the club idea forward.

'If everyone is willing to chip in it would work,' he said. 'It's great to have such an engaged community.'

Campaigners also invited the managing director of bus company Norfolk Green, Ben Colson, to the meeting.

He said that his firm may be able to run a service if they win a contract to provide school buses.

The school vehicles would then be diverted out of school hours to serve Hellesdon.

But he warned the meeting of red tape and soaring costs holding back the introduction of new routes.

Mr Colson said: 'I can't make any assurances about anything this evening.

'I'm hoping to help you but I can't give any assurances at all.'

Despite having a packed hall, Mr Colson said there would not be enough trade in Hellesdon to justify a new route but it could become part of an existing one.

Campaigners described how the route was their 'lifeline'.

Mike Norman, from Save the 29 Bus Group, said: 'We have got to have a bus service. We will continue to fight.'

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