Protestors will gather outside County Hall on Friday to oppose bus cuts they say would be against the wishes of thousands of people.

Campaigners from Save Our Buses Hertfordshire and Campaign for Better Transport will be voicing their opposition to Hertfordshire County Council's plans to slash £1.5million from the bus budget.

One senior campaigner described the cuts as “pure fantasy" and some of the protestors are expected to be dressed as fictional characters, including Cinderella and Prince Charming.

Hertfordshire County Council’s highways and waste management cabinet panel will discuss the cuts this Friday. Plans could be recommended to cabinet and then full council next week.

Terry Figg, of Save our Buses Hertfordshire, said: “It is pure fantasy for the council to think these cuts to local bus services are needed and they will be going against the wishes of thousands of people who have signed our petition.

“If Cinderella relied on Hertfordshire's buses to get home from the ball she would have to leave before 7:30pm, not midnight."

A petition with more than 3,000 signatures rejecting these proposals will also be handed in to the panel.

Under the plans, funding would be axed for Sunday services, except for routes that directly serve a hospital, which would run until 7.30pm.

Funding would also be withdrawn for services that operate after 7.30pm between Monday and Saturday.

Martin Abrams, public transport campaigner at Campaign for Better Transport, said: “The protest will possibly be the last chance for the public to show their opposition to these damaging bus cuts before the council makes its final decision.

“There are huge social, economic and environmental benefits in having a good local bus service which plays a vital role in the community.”