THE manager of a touring caravan park in Ludlow has welcomed the reprieve of a threatened bus service after fearing that its loss would damage the business.

“It’s fantastic news for the park and its customers that the popular 490 bus service between Leominster and Ludlow is to continue because there had been fears that the service would stop from mid-April due to cutbacks,” said Karen Price, who manages the Ludlow Touring Park with her husband.

Lugg Valley Travel, who operate the bus service, is now considering increasing the number of buses that call at the park.

“We are a long walk from Ludlow and it’s too far for many of our elderly customers,” said Karen Price.

“The loss of the bus service would have been a serious blow to the business because motorhome owners, in particular, like to use the bus to get into town. Customers would either face the long walk or would be forced to hire a taxi.

“Now Lugg Valley Travel are looking into the possibility of running more buses that stop at the park, which would be fantastic news for us.

"The company also allows passengers with dogs to travel on the bus. Our customers who own dogs are delighted that they can buy a doggy day ticket for £1 to take them on the bus.

“We have examples of customers returning to the park now that we have a daily bus service because public transport is an important issue for them when they book to stay with us.”

Herefordshire Council, which together with parish councils along the routes, subsidises the bus service, has urged members of the public to use the service or lose it.

Some local businesses, including Ludlow Touring Park’s owner Morris Leisure, have also pledged financial support.

The 135-pitch Ludlow Touring Park is located on a 20-acre site alongside the River Teme and A49 near Richards Castle and is an affiliated site of The Caravan Club.

It is claimed that the site generates an estimated £2 million a year for Ludlow and the surrounding area by attracting thousands of caravan and motorhome owners to the town.