COMMUNITIES have rallied behind a beleaguered community bus company as it faces a "difficult" next few months raising enough money to stay afloat.

Blueworks, which operates rural bus routes across the Lakes and Furness is facing an uncertain future after its services were narrowly saved by fundraisers at the eleventh hour.

But the company must prove to authorities that it has had an average of £12,000 in its bank account when checks are made by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Authority in November.

Phil Halliwell, the director of the operator, said: "This is crunch time for us. And we really hope that we are able to raise this money when that day comes.

"We have a had brilliant support from the community in managing to raise money to get us this far but there is a lot of pressure to make sure we can keep operating.

"It will be difficult but I am confident we can do it."

Among the routes Blueworks operates are the X112 from Coniston to Barrow and X70 through Ulverston.

Mr Halliwell's company has been forced to reduce the timetable, which will come into force on September 4.

A statement from the operator on the new timetable said: "We apologise to those who are inconvenienced by these cuts but coming so near to all routes disappearing in July something had to happen.

"The main differences are the removal of the early Ulverston to Barrow and return via Ulverston Victoria High School and the early Ulverston to Coniston and return via the school in morning and afternoon."

Fundraisers have offered their support for the bus company as it faced strife over the last two years.

Services were in danger of being wiped out in July, only for community funding to come to the rescue 45 minutes before a deadline imposed by Cumbria County Council forcing it to come up with the cash.

And fundraisers are offering their backing for the company.

Ulverston man John Eyre will be walking from the town to Coniston to drum up cash and take on the challenge on September 22.

It comes after months of fundraising at coffee mornings and other sponsored walks by X112 supporters.

Last week a number of Blueworks services were cancelled due to driver shortage.

Mr Halliwell said it was due to a driver leaving the company at short notice and assured passengers the cancellations would not happen again.

The company is faced with a paucity of drivers and Mr Halliwell said it was difficult to find people prepared to pay £70 towards taking a bus-driving instruction session.

He is appealing for people to come onboard.