PLEASE give us shelter!

That is the plea from 200 bus travellers in Kessingland who are demanding action to save them from getting wet and cold while waiting to return home from shopping trips.

Three weeks ago, The Journal reported that a campaign for a shelter at the bus stop serving the Tesco store in Gunton had finally ended in success after a six-year battle.

But now shoppers in Kessingland have launched a similar campaign. A petition with 200 names has been collected asking for the bus stop opposite Morrisons on Tower Road, South Lowestoft, to be given a shelter.

The campaigners say it is 'unfair' that there is a shelter at the stop on one side of the road – for people heading north – while the stop for people waiting to go to Kessingland is exposed to the elements.

Last Friday, they were joined at the stop by former Waveney Labour MP Bob Blizzard as they staged a protest.

The campaigners also delivered letters to the managers at Morrison's and the nearby Homebase and Pizza Hut outlets, asking the companies to help fund a shelter.

Mr Blizzard said: 'There's a basic unfairness here. There is a bus shelter on the northbound side of the road for people going into Lowestoft, but those wanting to take their shopping back to Kessingland are left exposed to the elements.

'This bus stop only exists for people using Morrisons or the other two retail outlets, Homebase and Pizza Hut, so I am asking these large national businesses to think of their customers and make a contribution to the cost of a bus shelter.'

Flora Lark, 79, of Lloyds Avenue, who started the petition and was at the protest, said: 'Morrisons is our nearest food store, We need to use it regularly. We are fed up getting soaked on wet days.'

Ruby Richardson, 82, of London Road, added: 'Many people in our village, especially older folk, don't have cars so we relay on the bus. We do need a shelter.'

Also at the protest was Brian Kite, 72, of London Road, who said it was 'not much fun if you have to wait in the rain and wind'.

Alan Brown, the Waveney District councillor for Kessingland, is supporting the campaigners.

He said: 'Kessingland bus travellers have my full support in pressing for a shelter. I hope that Morrisons and the other stores will respond positively now.'