From Monday alterations which will see buses moving back to Matlock town centre will also affect routes in the Wirksworth area.

The moves bring the 6.1 route into conflict with EU regulations on the length of bus routes.

The 6.1 Wirksworth town bus will no longer serve all of Gorsey Bank and most journeys will not run to Cinder Lane at Millers Green.

Residents are urging TrentBarton to keep the town bus, as many elderly passengers rely on the service and will be left without transport.

Betty Hallows, of Gorsey Bank residents association, said, they were not consulted about the changes.

She added: "We do feel very strongly about this and it would be nice to have been able to put our point across.

"There are a lot of elderly people who use the bus and several people don't have cars so they will have to walk down to the main road.

"I was speaking to an 85-year-old lady who gets the bus and won't be able to carry her shopping home."

Wirksworth mayor and Gorsey Bank resident Andy Pollock, said a lot of people had contacted him to ask what they are going to do.

He added: "Some people up Gorsey Bank absolutely rely on the service.

"Feelings are running very high. It is going to affect significant areas and some areas are having the bus cut altogether.

"It all just seems so sad and is not good news for Gorsey."

TrentBarton, commercial manager Mark Greasley, said the changes were regrettable but the 6.1 service as a whole had to change to keep within the law.

The changes will also mean most buses through Middleton to Matlock will now run at eight minutes past the hour and that Middleton will lose its direct bus back from Derby.