A community bus which acts as a mobile meeting place for people living on estates in Witham is facing the axe.

Run by the town's United Reformed Church, the bus is used by youngsters, mothers and toddlers and the elderly -- but it will come off the road at the end of July.

Nearly ten years after its launch, it has served its purpose, according to the church. "Times change and it is time to move on," said bus project co-ordinator Mike Harrison.

Now the church is to reappraise how it can meet the needs of the town.

Fenella Hardie, speaking on behalf of the church elders, said: "This will allow for a period of reflection and reassessment, and for discussions to take place with other groups prior to initiatives being developed to fulfil the commitment to reach out into the community and particularly the young people of Witham."

Witham Council, which has injected nearly £100,000 into the scheme over the past seven years, regrets the service ending.

Council leader Phil Barlow said: "If this is the end of this service, then we will be saddened and hope that something else will materialise that will meet the needs of youngsters in the town."

Explaining the reasoning behind the decision, Mr Harrison said: "Things evolve and change and any project needs to change with the times.

"We have to reassess if the bus is still the best means of meeting the needs of the people of the town. Could we do something to meet those needs better? I view this as a positive change.

"We need to adapt with the times and find better ways of meeting the needs of the community.

"There will be, of course, people who will miss the service, but there are estates which we have not been able to go to because there is nowhere for us to stop safely.

"I can't say what will take its place, but the intention is that something will replace the bus project," said Mr Harrison.

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