The local community council has worked well with the bus company in recent months, holding various meetings and carrying out a user survey on behalf of bus passengers.

Public concerns have been aired and taken on board.

Commenting on the news of the retention of some bus services, Mrs Isobel Ross stated she was delighted the bus company, and the council, had listened and responded.

She welcomed, in particular, the retention of the town bus service which enables those who live in Forfar to travel in the early hours of the morning to their work in the town.

She said the threat to the service had sparked calls for a petition to be set up, but instead those who had concerns were urged to write to the council and the bus company.

She said: "I know of about ten people who complained about the plans to remove the early morning service.

"I am delighted the company and the council has saved this service for the people.

"This early service is vital to those who live and work in the town."

The threatened service was the service number 24 which starts at East High Street at 6.18 in the morning with stops in Glenclova Terrace, Threewells Drive, Craig O'Loch Road, Don Street, Whitehills and back to East High Street via Prior Road.

In confirming the service will be retained, Lesley Millar, transport manager for Angus Council, has written to Mrs Ross to clarify the position.

She said: "The complaints you passed on to me were from residents who are regular users of the Service 24 journey at 06.18 from Forfar East High Street - this journey conveys many workers around the town including to Whitehills HCCC.

"I am pleased to inform you that this journey has been retained under the contractual arrangement entered into by the council and I am now writing to inform all those who wrote in that this is the case."