A bus company which axed a service between two tourist spots has hinted that it may return.

Stagecoach's 701 service linking Eastbourne and Brighton will stop running this winter just six months after it first started.

The hourly bus link runs through Seaford, Newhaven and Falmer - avoiding Lewes - and the company says running the service over the winter period won't be viable.

Managing director Joel Mitchell said "We're grateful to everyone that uses the service and we're really sorry to have to step it down at this point.

"Initially the route did better than we expected and we were pleased with the early uptick in passenger numbers, but growth hasn't quite been enough to be able to sustain the service, especially through the winter - so we're putting it on hold with a view to looking at how we can bring it back in one form or another, perhaps next year."

Read more: Bus route axed within months of starting as bosses blame low ticket sales

The service was launched as a competitor to Brighton and Hove Buses' 12 and 13 routes between Brighton and Eastbourne from May 13 this year. The final service will run on November 16.

He added "We know people want to see low fares and more new bus routes - that's why we're ready to try new things where we can - but we also need clarity on a long-term funding strategy beyond the current £2 government fare cap, so we can work alongside local leaders to choose an approach that helps bus networks to flourish across all our communities, and reduces the harmful impacts of congestion on our roads."