BUS passengers who have been left stranded because of a lack of drivers could be set for another month of delays.

Pupils and workers travelling between Colchester and Brightlingsea have been suffering with months worth of cancellations and delays on the 87 service run by Hedingham.

County councillor for Brightlingsea Alan Goggin (Con) said he had attended a meeting with top bus bosses who said the problems are set to continue.

He said: "We had good representations from the local area and the bus company took it seriously as well.

"They seem to be having a massive problem which is their lack of drivers.

"The promises we got was they were having a massive recruitment drive, trying to find agency staff and using office staff with the appropriate licenses to drive the buses, but there are still lots of cancellations.

"We were told it is going to be another four weeks before things start to get better - I know it doesn't help if you are waiting for a bus to college or school and it turns up late or not at all.

"It is a massive problem which is impacting on the education of young people and taking money out of the pocket of people who need to go to work.

"Popping to Colchester to do some shopping on the bus is now out of the question."

Hedingham post details of services which are due to be delayed or cancelled online each day.

A statement on its website says it is looking for new drivers and apologies for the inconvenience caused to passengers.

The Gazette contacted Gavin Hunter, the managing director of Go Ahead East Anglia - Hedingham's parent company - but did not receive a response.