A BUS company has urged passengers to get on board with its new service after it stepped in to save an axed bus route.

Colchester-based Hedingham Buses previously took over a number of routes in the Clacton area after First Essex Buses pulled out almost two years ago.

First Essex will end its 97 and 98 routes - from Colchester to Walton via Clacton - on Sunday after claiming it was not making enough money.

But Hedingham has announced it is stepping in to save the routes, which include the 74, X76, 97 and 98.

It said the move is a risk for the small business, especially as First is withdrawing from the routes as they don’t currently cover their operating costs.

Jeremy Cooper, managing director of Hedingham, said: “Everyone is really excited about providing more routes for our community.”