A would-be MP has launched an internet bid to boost public transport.

Labour election hopeful Michael Powell, who is set to stand against Bob Russell in Colchester, hopes the move will put pressure on bus companies to improve services.

He claimed deregulation 20 years ago had given firms a "licence to print money".

Mr Powell said he had written to bus company First Essex, calling on it to create a route between Greenstead and the Colchester General Hospital, but has not had a reply.

Now he is using the popular Facebook networking website to try to co-ordinate a campaign.

"Greenstead residents are among those least likely to have access to a car, so preventing them from having a decent bus service to the hospital is effectively reducing their access to healthcare," he said.

Mr Powell is also calling for public transport to be taken back under public control.

"No Government can expect people to switch from their cars to public transport when bus and train services are treated by their operators as a licence to print money, rather than running them like a public service," he said.

"By introducing bus franchising, private operators would be forced to guarantee service standards and fare levels set by the local authority, before they were allowed to operate a service."

Facebook members can visit the site at "Make public transport a public service in Colchester".

A spokesman for First said its policy was always to reply to letters.

"We would invite Mr Powell to write to us or contact us and then we can discuss his particular concerns," he said.