With a clipboard under one arm and a crutch under the other, Val Milesi cuts a determined figure on the 324 to Redhill.

The tough-talking 61-year-old, so incensed by the proposals of Surrey County Council to cut costs by axing routes, launched a petition to save her "lifeline".

To underline her plight, Mrs Milesi spent the whole day on the 324 and single-handedly collected 56 signatures from other disgruntled passengers on the "underused service".

"I am just so annoyed," said Mrs Milesi, who has lived in Reigate most of her life. "I keep hearing these television adverts telling us to cut car journeys and then they do this."

From the moment the bus pulled away on Monday from Reigate Road on its route to Redhill, Mrs Milesi spoke to every single passenger who boarded.

"I'm surprised so many people are signing my petition," she said. "I thought it would be a lot harder."

Two weeks ago, the Mirror revealed the county council's plans to cut supposedly "under used" routes to save cash. A public consultation was launched, which ends on January 31, 2010.

This week, we have launched our own Save the 324 campaign to back Mrs Milesi's fight for the vital service.

Although a reluctant campaigner, Mrs Milesi believes this is the only way to get the powers-that-be to listen.

"I've never done anything like this before, it's not really like me but I am just so annoyed by it."

As the 324 meandered its way through Reigate and Redhill, a steady stream of pensioners flowed on and off at various stops.

Speaking to the Mirror, Marie Dearden, 88, of Beech Drive, Reigate, said: "I use this regularly every week."

Boarding at Timperley Gardens, Redhill, Shirley Rhodes, 69, explained: "This is the only bus we've got – it's terrible. What are we going to do if it stops?"

Colman Way resident Rita Nicholas, 85, added: "We'll be marooned if this service stops."

Timperley Gardens resident Ethel Bryant, 76, said she used the 324 every day apart from Saturdays: "I'd be a prisoner if this service went."

Mrs Milesi will hand the petition to her ward councillor, Peter Lambell, tomorrow.

●Sign up to our campaign - Save the 324.