A bus route along the Solway Coast which was due to be axed later this month has been saved at the 11th hour.

Wigton-based coach firm Reays announced they were pulling the number 60 service from Skinburness and Silloth, to Maryport because a lack of passengers was making the route unsustainable.

The last buses were due to run next Saturday.

But the route will now be able to carry on after Ellenvale Coaches, from Fletchertown, stepped in to take over the route.

It followed on from talks with Cumbria County Council and other local representatives like Silloth's mayor Tony Markley.

The new 60E service will kick in on January 30 and run a Monday to Saturday timetable from Skinburness and Silloth to Maryport.

Mr Markley, who also represents the town on the county council, said: "It's a good thing for the people of Silloth and Allonby.

"But as I've said before it's a case of use it or lose it. Buses are a big issue for rural areas."

It is understood that the company will managing the route without the help of a subsidy, instead trying to make it financially viable on its own.

The route was under threat in February last year when Reays announced it was going to cut the service completely.

But following calls from locals along the coast the firm performed a u-turn.

At the time Chris Reay, Reays' managing director, said they were trying to retain the service as it was vital for people to travel to work and school but added it needed public support.

The Silloth to Maryport route was combined with the number 58 Maryport to Cockermouth service and the number 59 Cockermouth town bus in a bid to increase viability.

But last month the company said it could no longer carry on running that particular service.

Mr Markley added that Ellenvale Coaches had expressed an interest in taking on the route when it was under threat last year and had come back on board when they discovered Reays were giving it up.

There are no other public bus routes from Silloth going west but the town is served by the number 400 service which runs to and from Carlisle daily, going through Wigton.