Scores of angry commuters and bus users have pledged their support to an Internet campaign to retain the Charlbury Railbus.

The service, which serves the town, its railway station and surrounding villages, is one of eight routes in west Oxfordshire under review by Oxfordshire County Council, as it decides how to spend £3m in subsidies from December.

So far, 98 people have signed an online petition calling for the service to stay on the road.

Signatory Michael Triff wrote: "This is a vital service to allow people in villages who depend on public transport to access rail service without having to own a second car. Please protect this critical and highly valued community resource."

Giles Dawson wrote: "Absolutely essential part of the transport infrastructure in what could otherwise become an isolated rural area, even though 15 miles from Oxford."

People signing the petition live in Leafield - where the railbus is the only public trasnport - Charlbury, and Ascott and Shipton-under-Wychwood.

Others have commented that stopping the service is contrary to the council's transport plan, promising accessibility for all.

Kevin Ward, who catches the bus from his home in Leafield to Charlbury, before catching the train to Oxford where he works as a college estate manager, said: "The county council is threatening to remove a vital service, and they don't seem to be proposing any alternative means of public transport.

"Some people will be forced to buy a car at a time when we are supposed to become more fuel-efficient."

Ian Hudspeth, the council's cabinet member for transport, said: "We're not looking to make cuts but find the best deal for the best service.

"I welcome passenger groups and people telling us what they think of services, because that's a good basis for us to make a judgment."

The other routes under review are: 20A, Oxford-Charlbury; 23, Middle Barton-Chipping Norton; 34, Idbury-Chipping Norton; 69 Witney-Chipping Norton; X50 Oxford-Stratford; and 811 Salford-Cheltenham.

The council welcomes comments from bus users as part of its consultation, which ends on Friday.