Campaigners are warning of bus service cuts despite gaining support from councillors.

East Sussex County Council has proposed cuts to more than 100 bus services which would save £1.79million over the next two financial years.

A meeting of full council voted against the proposal, arguing that residents – especially elderly people – would be left isolated.

However, the cuts could still go ahead if the local authority’s cabinet votes in favour.

A petition of 6815 signatures enabled anti-cuts campaigners to address councillors at a full council meeting.

A debate followed in the council chamber during which a motion to save the services was passed.

Twenty-five councillors voted in favour of the motion with 21 against and three members were absent from the meeting at County Hall in Lewes. All of the council’s Conservative members voted against the motion along with one UKIP and one independent councillor.

The motion stated: “This council recommends that the cabinet reject the current proposals to significantly reduce the level of financial support that facilitates a number of bus services that operate to serve everyday life in an acceptable manner across many parts of East Sussex.

“Council appreciates the support from thousands of ordinary citizens, businesses, and those who through advancing years, infirmity and potential isolation, depend totally upon this level of financial support that allows for the provision of those services now under threat.”

The motion will go forward as a recommendation to cabinet, which is made up entirely of Conservative councillors, when they meet on December 16.

It was made after the bus cuts proposals went out for public consultation earlier this year.

The plans would see nearly 100 bus services across the county axed affecting areas including Lewes, Uckfield, Rye and Hastings.

The final proposal, which the cabinet will vote on, will be unveiled on Monday – and is expected to include changes.

Chris Smith, from the Love Your Bus campaign group, hailed the council’s decision but said their vote should be final.

He said: “With a full council meeting voting against cuts, in any democracy that would be the end of the matter, but East Sussex County Council operates a cabinet system.

“Final decisions are often taken not by a full council but by a small group of council members – the cabinet.

“All the cabinet members are Conservatives as they are the largest single party, even though they do not have a majority on the council.

“This is grossly undemocratic. We think the cabinet should be bound by the decision of the full council.”