More than 240 people have signed a petition calling for a bus to pass through their village.

A petition with 244 signatures demanding First UK Bus’ XI bus, which goes from Peterborough to Lowestoft, pass through Wisbech St Mary was presented to Wisbech St Mary Parish Council by former parish and county councillor Brian Sandall.

The bus currently stops at Guyhirn Shell garage then goes up the A47 to Wisbech.

Mr Sandall says there is widespread support for the route change in the village.

He said: “There is a strong feeling in the village about this. As well as being beneficial to villagers, it would help the bus company because they would become more economical since they would save money on fuel used up in traffic on the A47.”

The petition has received the wholehearted backing of the parish council.

Chairman Brian Payne said: “We wholeheartedly support this initiative since there is practically no public transport available in all our villages.

“It would be beneficial for people in Wisbech St Mary to have an express service which meant they could get to King’s Lynn or Peterborough more quickly.”

A First Bus spokesman said: “Our commercial team have been in contact with the local parish council and have been made aware of this petition.

“We try and act on our passenger feedback when possible, and our scheduling team are looking in to the feasibility of this proposal.

“However we must ensure the X1 service remains an ‘express service’, otherwise the 4.5 hour trip from Lowestoft to Peterborough could end up seriously lengthened,”