Norwich's night bus service between the railway station and the University of East Anglia has been handed a partial reprieve from the axe.

Bus operator First's number 25, which serves Riverside, the railway station and the UEA has operated around the clock - with buses every half an hour after midnight – for about the past decade.

But bus bosses sparked anger when they announced that, from next month, the service will stop just after midnight, with the next bus not until just before 5.20am the following morning during the week or 6.50am on Saturdays.

The move angered students who insist the night bus is a 'vital lifeline'. They started a petition, which was signed by 2,000 people, and threatened to boycott First services.

However, after discussions between First, the Union of UEA Students, the UEA and Norwich city councillor Roger Ryan, a compromise has been reached.

It means a revised service will see buses running from the railway station at 11.45pm, 12.45am, 1.45am and 2.45am, with buses back from the UEA at 12.15am, 1.15am, 2.15am and 3.15am.

Jo Swo, welfare, community and diversity officer at the student union, said: 'I am delighted to see that First bus listened to the thousands of students and community members who voiced their opposition through the Student Union's 'Save the Night Bus' campaign.'

Steve Wickers, business director for First, said: 'I am pleased that we have been able to provide an alternative solution.'