"BEST Value" principles could see the local bus service disappear, a meeting of Marlow Town Council heard on Tuesday.

In July, the Free Press reported the future of the 160 Marlow town bus service could be under threat, due to a £1,000 hike in costs.

The service, which shuttles around town between Great Marlow, Marlow Bottom and Little Marlow, was formerly paid for by the town council with contributions from Great Marlow and Little Marlow parish council based on passenger numbers.

Next year, contributions will be based on mileage, meaning a big rise in costs for both parishes.

Little Marlow has already expressed an intention to investigate alternative transport arrangements' and parish chairman Dallas Banfield was concerned it might be a waste of money for so few passengers.

Town clerk Howard Bellairs, told the meeting on Tuesday: "It is clear that Buckinghamshire County Council views the transport strategy in terms of Best Value and we are required to look at this service from the perspective of Best Value."

Cllr Tony Dunn said: "A conventional service is no longer compatible with best value. I have seen an empty bus driving around for years looking for passengers.

"Marlow needs something but the big problem of course, is where the funding is going to come from? Who wants to fund a bus running around empty?"

The town council agreed to write to the county council expressing concerns and asking the county to fund a bus service.