A bus service aimed at school children is being axed because less than ten people use it every day.

The Service 383 runs between New Rickstones Academy in Conrad Road, Witham, to the town centre in the afternoons only.

It will stop at the end of August.

Paul Bird, Essex County Council’s director for commissioning for transport, said: “It is important to review our services and make changes that make the best use of our funding.

“There is no equivalent morning journey and this service is used by less than ten people each afternoon who have alternative ways of getting to and from school.

“It makes sense to stop running it as it costs £6.86 per passenger journey, higher than the £6 per journey we have allowed for this service.”

A consultation on the service, operated by Grahams Coaches, was held in May.