A FREE bus service has been called for to connect residents to a supermarket.

A petition with more than 250 signatures from residents in Cluny Square, Southend, has been handed to management at the Asda supermarket in Shoebury by St Luke’s Ward Tory councillors Peter Ashley and Anna Waite.

Mr Ashley said: “There are many older people in this ward without transport and being able to get to Asda once a week would be really useful, not least because being able to shop there would help their pensions go further. It would also give them more independence.

“Residents are keen to see this happen. There is clearly a need and they have been delighted to sign this petition.”

Mrs Waite added: “A free bus would also be excellent for some of the younger mothers who could take advantage of the fresh food and household ranges which Asda and George offer.”

Asda has promised to look at the situation and Mrs Waite said she was hopeful the store would decide to run its free bus service through St Luke’s.

“While there are some excellent local shops, they are not really suitable for a full shop while Asda has a far greater range at competitive prices,” she said.

Residents say they currently have to use several bus routes to reach the store and would like the choice of using a free shuttle bus put on by the store.

Asda spokeswoman Rebecca Liburd said: “It is early days at the moment and there is a lot of work to be done.

“The manager of the North Shoebury store has received the petition and will be looking at whether the proposal is a feasible one.”