BUS services linking Worcester city centre with the university and Henwick Park are set to be improved.

And the change has been hailed as a victory by Labour members of the county council who have been campaigning for improvements.

St Johns councillor Matt Lamb, has been protesting against cuts to the number 31 bus which links St Johns to the centre of Worcester since November 2017.

Coun Lamb urged the bus company to take action when the number 31 service, which is popular amongst residents west of the river, was cut last November from every 15 minutes to every 30 to 40 minutes.

Whilst a 15-minute bus had been retained to serve the university this only ran in term time and its timetable was designed to serve the interests of students rather than local residents.

From Saturday, March 24, customers will see an improved frequency from every 30 minutes to every 20 minutes to Henwick Park and the dedicated 31U service slightly amended to meet the demands of students from the university.

Coun Lamb said: "I was contacted by a number of residents of St Johns before Christmas who were angry and frustrated about the cuts to this bus service.

"Previously the bus service worked smoothly and its regularity meant that residents of St Johns were able to get connections in the centre of Worcester to other parts of the city. The changes made this much more difficult.

"I wrote to First Bus and Alan Amos to express our opposition to these ill considered changes and residents also made their feelings clear. I am therefore delighted that First Bus have reversed this change and restored the bus service which is so important to the people of St Johns."

Sarah East, head of operations at First Worcester, said: “We constantly monitor our services to ensure they are meeting the demands expected by our customers and appreciate all the feedback sent by people who have travelled on the service.”

Council leader Simon Geraghty, said: "This is great news and will be welcomed by residents. I am pleased that First have listened to local residents and plan to introduce an enhanced service on this route."

Coun Alan Amos, Worcestershire's cabinet member for highways, said: "This is tremendous news for bus users in and around Henwick Park and it is as a result of us working constructively to constantly improve the quality of services. This will encourage residents to use a service which will be more frequent and reliable."