AS residents of three elderly homes face up to their First week without transport connections, the Thurrock Gazette has launched a 'Save our Bus' campaign.

Residents from the Dexter Close and Atlee Court complexes, off Lenthall Avenue, Grays, and the Airey Neave complex, Orchard Road, have been left stranded after bus operator, First, terminated the 101 route that served them.

The route, which was also used by elderly residents living on Lenthall Avenue and neighbouring roads, ran from Lakeside to Billericay and was described as a lifeline by Lana Dodsworth, warden of the Airey Neave complex.

She said: "Everybody is up in arms about this decision. We are all very isolated up here but most of the residents try to get down into Grays to do their shopping, or collect their pensions, and this bus was how they were able to do that."

First say the 101 service has been re-designed and named the 22 and will now travel to the top of Hathaway Road, taking in Blackshots and Stifford Clays, instead of turning off at Lenthall Avenue.

But residents who live in the area between, Lenthall Avenue, Lodge Lane and Hogg Lane will not be served by the route, leaving many of them isolated.

William Capon, 81, of Albermale Close, said: "I think it's disgusting. Quite a few of us use the surgery at the Stifford Clays Health Centre and some people are just unable to walk those two to three hundred yards. Many of us can't even walk 25 to 30 yards.

"I've written to the council to express my concerns. But they don't even have the decency to respond to my letter.

"Moreover, I have to go shopping with my wife, I'm partially sighted and she's unable to carry the shopping, how do they expect us to do that now? I have never been as disgusted in my whole life. They are victimising the elderly. Eva Hart, of Lenthall Avenue, added: "That bus has been a godsend to us, particularly because it gets us to the two hospital, Basildon and Orsett.

"My sister is in Airey Neave and when she was in Orsett hospital we used that bus service five or six times a week for five weeks. It is a vital service for the elderly, it's the only way to get around."

The nearest bus stops for residents are now on Hathaway Road or on the opposite side of Lodge Lane -- both are long and potentially dangerous walks.