I have appealed for help from West Dorset MP Oliver Letwin on a couple of issues of great importance to the people of Lyme Regis.

It seems that, like many of our local bus services in the resort, our much used Number 71 is to have its funding cut.

The outcome, of course, will be a reduced service – far below the excellent one we currently enjoy. I understand the Saturday service is likely to be axed completely, depriving many locals the opportunity to use the bus for weekend shopping. The Number 71 is very important to the older people of Lyme Regis who rely on it for visits to doctors and the shops. If it is not retained, the outcome will leave many people unable to leave their homes.

As the Conservative Party intends to spend billions on a rail link from London to the north, surely money should be set aside to keep local bus services running.

John Hounsell

Haye Close

Lyme Regis