NORTH Shropshire MP Helen Morgan has issued a call to people across the county to get behind her petition to improve bus services in rural areas.

The Liberal Democrat MP has campaigned to improve public transport in her constituency and has called on people to support her 'Bus Bill' which she hopes will help connect rural areas with key public services with many residents dependent on lifts in cars from friends and family.

The bill would ensure there are bus connections seven days a week to hospitals, schools, workplaces, and railway stations and buses going from one large town to another would also serve local villages on the way.

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Ms Morgan is planning to present the petition to Parliament and so far 2,000 North Shropshire residents have signed it and she is keen for more people to back her call ahead of the presentation.

She said: "Shropshire is being held back by the lack of decent public transport in the county and it’s not fair.

"It’s time for the decline in bus services to be reversed.

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"Sadly, waiting for the Government to take rural transport seriously is as frustrating as trying to travel from Market Drayton to Telford without a car.

"The lack of buses has a real human impact on access to health services, high street businesses, and job opportunities.

"Investing in public transport will boost the economy and improve lives for everyone across Shropshire and wider rural Britain.

"Getting on board and signing my petition will make it clear to the Government that the time for action is now."