CAMPAIGNERS are celebrating a victory for people-power after successfully getting their bus service reinstated.

Bosses at First Bus had been branded heartless after changing the route of its 634 service, meaning the link between East and West Bowling in Bradford was severed.

More than 200 angry locals turned up to a meeting about the change earlier this month, where a First spokesman said the route was not viable and had "not been making money for some time".

Some pensioners had been moved to tears as they described how they felt stranded and isolated since the service ended, while Bradford Academy staff said they were concerned about how pupils would get to school.

Local councillors went away to try to find a solution to the problem, and now the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, which oversees public transport, has agreed to subsidise a replacement service.

One of the lead campaigners, Ian Brewer, welcomed the news.

Mr Brewer, who had been a regular user of the 634 bus, said: "That is really good news. It is good news that the councillors pulled their finger out.

"East Bowling has often felt like a poor relation, so the fact that the councillors have come forward with this is great.

"The turnout of 200 people was more than I had even imagined would come to a meeting like that. It just shows the strength of feeling.

"I am really pleased."

Mr Brewer said he would now have to examine the detail of the new service, and in particular said he would be keen to find out if people could use First Bus tickets and passes on the replacement bus.

Councillor Hassan Khan (Lab, Bowling and Barkerend) said he had been very upset to hear residents' concerns at the meeting they had held.

He said: "I was really, really emotional when I saw one lady was crying.

"She was saying, 'All my life I have been working hard and now the time has come where I need this service', which really upset me."

He said he was very pleased they had found a solution, and urged locals to use the replacement bus.

The service, called the 635, will start on Monday, December 7.

A 20-seater bus, run by local firm Ladies Only Travel, will provide an hourly service through East Bowling along Rooley Lane to Staygate Roundabout and back.

There will also be a morning rush-hour service from West Bowling, timed to arrive near Bradford Academy at school times.

The Combined Authority will monitor the usage of the service over the coming months to see whether the frequency is right.