Thousands of people have signed a petition calling for a West End bus service to be saved from the axe.

Valerie Gauld launched the online petition after learning First Bus plans to scrap a section of the route covered by the 4A bus.

Within days it had been signed by more than 2400 people and numbers are still rising rapidly.

From October 23, the 4A service will terminate at Broomhill and will no longer serve Kelvindale, Anniesland and Knightswood.

The petition says the cut will hit residents of Kelvindale as it is their ownly direct route into the city centre.

It adds: "School pupils will also be affected as this route takes in Cleveden Secondary School and is used by young people travelling to Hyndland and St. Thomas Acquinas Secondary schools.

"Local people use this bus route to access the shops and amenities of Byres Road and it is also vital for students who live in these areas and study at the University of Glasgow.

"Residents of several areas will suffer but this is a devastating blow for Kelvindale folk in particular."

To get into town, people will have to catch a bus to Anniesland, cross busy Great Western Road and head back into town.

Ms Gauld, who lives in Woodlands on the 4A route, said: "The number of people who have signed the petition reflects the strength of feeling about the cut and the huge impact it is going to have.

"The range of people who have said it will impact on their lives is quite incredible. They include elderly people, young mums taking children to school or nursery, people going to work or into town and students.

"It is a serious issue for people and what is planned is unacceptable which is why there has been such a response.

"We are going to put pressure on First to change their minds and we are not going to give up."

Kelvindale community council secretary Ken Windsor said he was not surprised by the reaction to the planned cut.

He added: "However, I am surprised the reaction has been so big in such a short space of time.

"I have set up a Facebook page for people to give their views and say how it is going to affect their daily lives.

"Everyone I have met in the street is totally incensed by the decision and is very worried about how they are going to get to work or to their doctor."

A First Glasgow spokesman said: "We note the petition regarding this section of the route and have been in contact with members of the public and local representatives to hear their views and explain the change.

"As a commercial operator, First Glasgow cannot afford to run a service with insufficient demand, as has been the case on this section of the route

"We ask people to note that we are due to introduce service M4 as a replacement for this section of the route in Kelvindale and believe this, alongside other local bus and rail services, will meet the needs of customers."