HUNDREDS of people have pulled together to fight for the reinstatement of a Southampton bus service.

More than 800 people have signed a petition calling for the reintroduction of the Bluestar number 19 bus through Thornhill.

The service also serviced Thornhill Park Road as it returned to Bitterne, and was used by people travelling to the doctors surgery and those who used the local shops.

Now,residents are calling on Bluestar to reinstate the route as they currently only have an hourly service through the area.

Councillor Terry Streets, who has been supporting the campaign, said: “The residents of Thornhill have no bus service to connect them to Thornhill Park Road.

“Along Thornhill Park Road is a doctors surgery, a Baptist church that has community groups and shops that include a laundrette and pharmacy

“The service did exist and was a well used service until Bluestar stopped the 19 to provide a more frequent service on the 18 route.

“Equally there are residents that live on or near Thornhill Park Road that would also benefit from a regular service unlike the current hourly service that they have.

“A regular service along Thornhill Park Road from Thornhill will also encourage residents along the route to ditch the car for trips into Bitterne and the city centre as there would be a regular service they could rely on.

“Bluestar have listened to community’s in the past and we hope they will listen to our plea for this much needed service.”

The 814 signatures, which were collected by local residents, were submitted to Bluestar.

A spokesperson from Bluestar has confirmed they are looking into the matter but were unavailable to comment further.