EITHER use it or lose it is the message to Winsford residents ahead of the launch of a new, hourly bus service to Chester.

The number 81 bus service, operated by D&G, will be introduced on Monday, September 5 and will take just 45 minutes to complete its route from Bradbury Road to Chester bus interchange, in the city centre.

Operators met with town chiefs on Friday and councillors agreed it has been a long time coming.

Town mayor, Clr Pam Booher, said: “It is something that the town council has campaigned for a number of years.

“We have not had a good bus service to Chester for a long time.”

Pick-ups include Station Road, Winsford High Street, Saxon Crossway and Kelsall and costs £3.70 for a return ticket, which is also subject to pensioner passes and travel card discounts.

Clr Paul Jones said the cheap fare could even convert some drivers to bus travel.

He added: “With the fuel crisis, travelling to somewhere like Chester for a day out can cost so much - especially when you take the parking into consideration – but this is affordable.

“Even though I drive, this is something that I can see myslef using.”

Currently, the only buses available from Winsford to Chester are on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays and run just once a day.

The new service will run hourly from 8.35am until 5.30pm from Monday to Saturday.

However, Clr Mike Kennedy said it is important for people make the most of it.

He added: “This new service will open up Chester to more people in Winsford.

“I know many elderly residents who use their passes to get out and about around Cheshire but now they can go to Chester and come back when they want.

“It also opens up a whole new vista of employment opportunities – work is so scarce in Winsford at the moment.

“But we have to encourage people to take advantage of the service otherwise it will be lost.”

•The timetable for this service is due to be placed at bus stops this week.