A former taxi driver who helped to launch the Halstead Hoppa bus route has vowed to try and save it.

Patrick Keeble, whose firm Florida Coaches started the Halstead Hoppa in 2009, said he will use his industry connections to attempt to revive it.

Current operators Turners of Essex revealed last week it had applied to the traffic commissioner to withdraw the Hoppa service because it runs at a loss.

Unless a new operator can be found the 44 route, which runs up to nine times a day and makes 23 stops, will cease on January 18.

Mr Keeble said: “I ran the service for the town rather than profit, but that’s because I’m a Halstead man.

“If you want people to use it you have got to keep on evaluating and not just let it go. You will always have a core of people who have no choice but to use it.

“These people find it a God-send because they don’t have to walk any distance and they can be dropped back there an hour later.

“It’s sad because so many of the people who use it have got no other way of getting into town.”

Although Mr Keeble has retired from the transport industry he will use his experience to try and sell firms on the idea.

He said: “We used to get £6,000 running advertising on the side of the bus and inside.

“I still think there is money in running the Hoppa. I’m also planning to talk to shop owners to see if someone who has a Hoppa ticket could get a discount on things.”