A POPULAR bus route which was facing the axe will remain in service after another company took it over.

The Green Line 702, which takes passengers to and from Legoland, Windsor, Slough and London Victoria, looked to be finishing when First announced that it would not run after Christmas.

Now, Reading Buses have confirmed they will be adopting the service, which starts in Bracknell and travels all the way to the capital.

Reading Buses will begin the new service from December 27, and a special service will be put on for Christmas Eve.

Martijn Gilbert, chief executive officer of Reading Buses, said today: “We are really excited to be taking over the long standing Berkshire Green Line service which is part of a network that has been in operation since the 1930s.

“The Bracknell and Windsor to London route, together with our morning and evening extensions to and from Reading, is a really good fit with our growing focus on the wider Thames Valley region as well as the Reading travel to work area.

“The route offers a convenient link for London and Slough bound commuters and visitors and workers in historic Windsor, including Legoland, as well as to Bracknell with it’s recently opened Lexicon shopping centre.

“With annual London season tickets from just £1,600 and day fares from just £9 return to London, the route offers a very cost effective travel solution too.”

A statement from First said: "Due to the increasing costs of operating the Greenline 702, it has unfortunately made it unsustainable to continue providing the service.

"Further information about the Greenline 702 service from Wednesday, December 27 will soon be available from www.reading-buses.co.uk."