BUS users who have campaigned to save a key service are a step closer to success.

Residents in Westhoughton were furious to learn that transport bosses were to axe the 559 service next month.

But a local campaign appears to have swayed chiefs at the Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority (GMPTA), whose Transport Network Committee will hear proposals to save the service on Friday.

First buses were to withdraw the route, from Bolton to Wigan via Westhoughton, on April 15, along with other "failing" services - the 553, which links Bolton to Leigh, and the 554, which runs from Bolton to the Trafford Centre.

But 559 passengers who consider the journey a lifeline, launched an angry appeal to keep the half-hourly service which enters Westhoughton, from Bolton, along the A6 Manchester Road, and travels along Park Road and Market Street before continuing to Wigan on the A58 Wigan Road.

Local councillors say they were flooded with complaints and campaigned to GMPTA on residents' behalf.

Cllr Nick Peel, Bolton GMPTA spokesman, said: "A lot of people have seemed upset about this. I had one lady, a pensioner, crying on the phone because she didn't know how she would visit friends without the service."

The 559 service will be put out to tender as an hourly journey, taking in Hulton Lane, rather than St Helens Road.

The authority will also discuss proposals to save the fated 553 service, incorporating connections for passengers of the 554, which is still to be withdrawn.

Cllr Peel said: "The withdrawals by First would have literally left many communities in the South West of the borough without any bus service and this would have been disastrous. I am therefore absolutely delighted for local people that GMPTA is recommending that these key services be saved."

Westhoughton Town Council leader, Cllr Jim Gilfillan, said: "This is great news. Many residents have said the bus is a lifeline and news of withdrawal worried them. It's good to have a bit of success at last."