VITAL bus routes through a Southampton community have been restored after concerned residents gathered to have their say about the cuts.

Solent Blue Line has decided to reinstate its two evening routes through Thornhill, axed last month after yobs launched a ten-day attack on the company's vehicles.

The decision was announced at St Christopher's Church last night, where more than 100 residents crammed in to make their opinions heard.

Relieved members of the public, who said they had been left "isolated" without night-time Bluestar services 18 and 19, were told a uniformed police officer would travel on one of the bus routes in vandalism hotspots.

But the company's warned the continuation of the service relied on finding a way to prevent gangs targeting his buses in the future.

The meeting, organised by community group Thornhill Plus You, was chaired by Rev Geoff Annas, who called on residents to work together to drive out crime and disorder.

He said: "We must have zero tolerance for antisocial behaviour. At the end of the day we all want to live here. If there is antisocial behaviour going on, please report it."