THE future of Southampton's free city centre shuttle bus has been plunged into doubt with key funding set to be withdrawn.

Cash-strapped Southampton City Council has announced proposals to cut funding for the City Link service from April.

And that means an uncertain future for the City Link, with negotiations now underway over its future.

Labour council chiefs' proposals to remove £110,000 of annual funding for the service are expected to be approved by the full council next Wednesday.

The service, which runs between the central railway station, the WestQuay shopping centre and the Red Funnel terminals at Town Quay, has run since 2005.

Now its remaining funders and operators Bluestar will meet to discuss whether it will continue to run or not.

A spokesman for WestQuay owners Hammerson said: “Hammerson has been a contributor to the funding of the City Link service for many years.

“Following the proposal to remove the council subsidy, we are in discussions with the operators of the service and other interested parties about the future viability of the service.”