Bus operator Stagecoach is reassuring passengers that its Oxford to Chipping Norton service is safe.

The promise comes after the 20 and 20A services were included in a list of west Oxfordshire routes under review for county council subsidy.

But Stagecoach in Oxfordshire managing director Martin Sutton said that, far from being under threat, the service could now run without a subsidy prop on its existing timetable.

He added: "This is entirely due to continued growth in passengers resulting from improvements to the services, including a £2m investmnent by Stagecoach in new buses earlier this year."

The buses run from Oxford via Charlbury to Chipping Norton.

The service is one of eight routes in the northern end of west Oxfordshire under review for a combined £3m annual subsidy.