THE SNJ has received scores of coupons in support of the Save Our Buses campaign.

Since we began the campaign on Wednesday, August 10, we have run a story every week about the public transport crisis in and around Stroud.

The campaign was started in response to concerns about the axing of a daily service between Chalford and Cirencester. It was replaced with a weekly service.

As well as sending in the coupons, many SNJ readers have written or phoned in to voice their support for the campaign.

Pensioner Elsie Wiltshire, 82, of Beeches Park, Minchinhampton, said: "Not everybody has cars.

As you get older you need public transport. "My neighbour, who doesn't drive, is lost without it.

"Years ago they used to be able to run a good bus service, so why not now?

"There are a lot of older people here who would like a regular bus service to and from Nailsworth."

We will soon be forwarding the coupons on to Shire Hall, and need you to keep them coming.

So pick up a pen and help us to help you save our buses.

STROUD Guide Dogs For The Blind Association has welcomed a Stagecoach initiative to let guide dog trainers travel for free on their buses.

More than 200 trainers and 1,100 puppy walkers across the UK could benefit from the scheme, which will allow guide dog trainers and puppy walkers to travel free on Stagecoach buses.

Mike Bird, spokesperson for Stroud Guide Dogs for the Blind Association, said: "This will make such a difference and will really help the puppies and training dogs get used to travelling on buses."

Les Warneford, managing director of Stagecoach UK, said: "We want to make our buses as accessible as possible and we hope this initiative will help support our blind and partially-sighted customers in our local communities."