ELDERLY shoppers are calling for a free bus service to be saved.

Users of the bus run by Asda to their store at Duffryn, Newport, are angry as the service is ending next week.

They say it is vital because it allows pensioners to travel home without changing buses when they are carrying heavy shopping.

Since the store was opened 16 years ago the bus service has run for people of all ages, but is mainly used by pensioners. It collects shoppers from different parts of Gwent.

Shoppers yesterday handed the store a petition signed by 25 elderly users of the Tuesday route from Thornhill, Cwmbran.

Shopper Paul Harley is a frequent user of the service from his home in Bassaleg, and is also the area representative for the bus users' National Passengers Association.

He said: "Nobody from Asda warned us the service was going to close.

"We rely on this service, for many people it is their only chance to visit a large supermarket."

Another user of the bus service, Ann Davies, from Trinant, who is retired, said she will now have to use taxis to get home.

She said: "I use the Friday bus from Trinant and can't change buses carrying all my bags.

"A taxi is expensive and the money will be coming out of my shopping budget.

"I feel quite disgusted that the bus service is going. They are going to lose loyal customers. I feel we weren't given enough notice. I only found out last week, so I haven't had a chance to stock up."

A spokesman for Asda said the service was mostly used by pensioners, and because pensioners were now entitled to free bus travel it was not viable to carry on.

He said: "There are regular bus services to the store and these are proving more popular than the one-day-a-week service we can offer ourselves."