Community celebrate keeping their bus running for eighth year.

Cumbria County Council withdrew bus subsidies in October 2014, leaving many people in rural areas in danger of losing the transport they relied upon.

Service 11 linking Barrow to Ulverston and service 12 which links Ulverston to Coniston were at risk.

Phil Halliwell of Blueworks taxis Ltd. made the decision to link the two routes, creating service between Barrow and Coniston, now known as the X112.

Running a rural bus service is extremely difficult so a group of residents got together in a community effort to raise awareness of the need for a rural bus service.

Friends of the X112 bus was formed to raise funds for maintaining a bus route, everyone is a volunteer contributing however they can to keep the bus.

They have held lots of events such as walks, coffee mornings, lunches, car boot sales, art auctions and fashion shows.

Coffee mornings and lunches are very popular. The coffee mornings are held every third Thursday of the month and the next lunch is on March 2, both events are supported by Tesco.

Friends of the X112 are also supported by pubs, cafes, restaurants along the route, many contributed to a recipe book sold in support of the bus.

The group has been enthusiastically supported by parish, district and county councillors and local MPs.

A spokesperson for Friends of the X112 said: “We have survived eight years. We are repeatedly told that the bus is a lifeline for those who live in isolated villages, often alone and no longer having access to cars and unable to afford taxi fares.

“The Bus is often referred to as “the Happy Bus”. A journey on the bus is an enjoyable way to access services not available in the rural villages. Many friendship groups have been formed due to people meeting on the bus.”

Wednesday 22 is awareness day for the X112, where Friends of the X112 are being presented with a £1,000 cheque by Tesco at Tesco Extra in Barrow.