FOR years people have been warned to use it or lose it over vital services - and all to often this eventually leads to the loss of a much-valued amenity.

FOR years people have been warned to use it or lose it over vital services - and all to often this eventually leads to the loss of a much-valued amenity.

But it seems that in Ipswich warnings about the future of bus services earlier this year have had the right effect.

The introduction of new buses and warnings that some services could come under threat next year as a new financial regime is introduced at the bus company have seen more passengers using the town's already-popular service.

Passenger numbers have risen substantially over the last four months, meaning that financial figures look like being much better than the council and bus bosses had expected.

This has really produced a win-win situation with the threat of route closures being eased and staff at Ipswich Buses due to receive a small bonus - which is bound to come in handy with the summer holidays just around the corner.

Of course passengers cannot be complacent. The increase in numbers needs to be sustained over the next few months if the long-term threat to more lightly-used routes is to be eased.

But while the number of passengers on the slow buses to Whitton, Chantry and Rushmere might not be great, for those who do use them these routes are a real lifeline.

At the moment things are looking much better than they were a few months ago. Everyone will be hoping that this increasing passenger numbers proves to be just the start of a long-term trend.

WITH the government starting to actively consider a new generation of nuclear power stations, it is inevitable that Sizewell will feature high on its list of potential sites.

Sizewell C is a prospect that has been talked about for years. British Energy already owns land it could be built on and the electrical gear and cables already exist on the site.

Nuclear power is a controversial subject - but providing issues over safety and the disposal of the comparatively small amount of waste that is created it must be able to form part of the overall energy equation for the future.

Atomic power is almost completely carbon neutral and is a very reliable source of energy - it does not depend on the wind blowing or the sun shining.

Renewable power sources such as wind farms or hydro-electric plants do have a valuable part to play as well in the future - but this type of energy is going to unlikely to ever supply more than about 25 per cent of the nation's needs.

Relying on oil or coal risks pouring billions more tonnes of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, and gas power generation also increases emissions while relying on a natural resource from Russia - which might not be the most secure energy supplier in the future.

BRITISH television viewers are currently gripped by Andrew Lloyd Webber's search for a new Joseph - and now Suffolk schools are hoping to get their chance to take part in the grand final by providing the choir for the show.

There is stiff competition from schools across the country, but the prospect of appearing in front of millions of viewers is spurring on the youngsters to share Joseph's dream. Vote for your favourite Suffolk school.