Local bus company Axe Valley Mini Travel has confirmed that it will be launching a service between Lyme Regis and Seaton, as Stagecoach's 9A service is scrapped. 

Residents and visitors have expressed their huge dismay after it was announced that Stagecoach would be withdrawing its 9A service between Lyme Regis and Seaton as of July 31.

Stagecoach said there was "insufficient passenger demand for this section of the route to continue on a commercial basis", but the withdrawal has been described as a major blow to both residents living along the route and visitors to the two towns.

An online petition was even launched to encourage Devon County Council to continue the service.

Now, Seaton-based Axe Valley Mini Travel (AVMT) – an independent family business – has confirmed it will be launching a service between the two resorts as of August 1.

It is not yet known how regular the service will be, with timetables to be released shortly.

For more details on AVMT and announcements, visit avmtbustimes.wixsite.com/mysite or its Facebook page www.facebook.com/axevalleyminitravel