PEOPLE living on a Preston housing estate could lose their bus service if road and parking conditions are not changed.

For years people on the Brookfield estate have used the number six Preston Bus service taking passengers to the city centre via Deepdale Road.

But the route could be scrapped because the minibuses cannot get through the narrow streets and past parked cars.

The situation is even worse for the wider, low-level buses, that run on the service.

Now Preston Bus, with the help of councillors, have submitted requests to Preston City Council's highways department for a one-way system and removal of grass banks and to replace them with lay-bys for cars to park, making more space on the roads.

A couple of years ago the number seven bus service was rerouted out of the estate to try and minimise the problem.

But the situation has now got worse and the number six service could also be forced to alter its route.

Frank Jones and wife Catherine, who have lived in Heathfield Drive almost 50 years, say they have relied on public transport all their lives and would struggle to get around if the service was removed.

Mr Jones, 82, who has severe arthiritis and is registered disabled, said: "If the bus route is changed it would take me half an hour to get to my nearest bus stop. I would probably have to consider using a taxi to get about and do the shopping which would be a lot more expensive than the bus."

Peter Bell, managing director of Preston Bus, said the likely option would be to continue the number six service, but it would not run through the estate.

"There were proposals for the Deepdale route -- number six service -- to be stopped. We asked people to contact us and they are against it. Therefore, I can be ninety nine per cent certain this route will remain."

Jonathan Saksena, councillor for Brookfield Ward, said: "We are working with Preston Bus and the council to try and work something out."

Councillor Andy Campbell, executive member for environment and sustainability, said: "We're looking at other ways to help traffic run more smoothly through the estate and we'll be consulting local people."