THE debate surrounding a Middlewich bus stop should soon be cleared up thanks to the Guardian.

Passengers hoping to catch a bus outside the Victoria Buildings, in Lewin Street, have been left perplexed by drivers refusing to stop for them or stopping just to let people off, and the county council has added to the mystery by stating it was never an official stop.

But, following several stories in the Guardian and a meeting between representatives from Arriva and Cheshire County Council on Friday, the bus stop finally looks set to be made official.

A spokesman for Arriva said: "Following the meeting it has been decided that this particular stop will be an official stop but it will be moved slightly.

"It will be nearer to the Narrowboat pub, subject to agreement, and slightly further away from the junction with Civic Way.

"It will be in use as soon as the signage can be put up by the county council."

The news will come as a welcome relief to passengers who rely on the service to reach the council offices, information centre, chemist, post office, library and doctors. Laura Bayman, of Alexandra Road, said: "There has always been a bus stop there - I'm 73 and there's been a stop for as long as I can remember."

Laura owns a book written by Mary Barry, headteacher of St Mary's Catholic Primary School between 1945 and 1966, who came to Middlewich by bus in 1945 and remembered getting off at the stop by the Victoria Buildings.

Mike Walton, from Middlewich Heritage Society, also put the society's archive to good use when the Guardian asked him if he could find evidence of the bus stop.

He said: "I've sat on the bus and watched people get on and off there.

"It's particularly useful for elderly people to visit the chemist and other services."

Anyone with any photographs or documents relating to Middlewich who could loan them to the heritage society should contact Mike or Sylvia Walton on 01606 832613.