William Keith Shooter, 58, of Spain Court, was taken away by police for allegedly failing to move out of the way of an Into Town bus as it attempted to pass through Strait Bargate on its first day of operation on Monday.

This was the second such demonstration, and protestors who had gathered at the end of the pedestrian area were warned they would be arrested if they did not make way for the buses.

Mr Shooter was led off to a round of applause by fellow protestors, to then be charged with a public order offence and another on suspicion of assaulting a police officer.

Mr Shooter was released on conditional bail and is due to appear before Boston Magistrates Court on Wednesday, July 16.

His wife Christine had held up the bus earlier for around 15 minutes by parking her mobility scooter at the Market Place end of Strait Bargate.

During the arrest of her husband police removed the keys from her scooter. They were returned shortly afterwards.

She said: "I do not see why he had to be arrested.

"We were protesting because that is a pedestrian area," she explained. "We fought for years to get that and then the county council just do as they like."

The demonstration had been organised by Better Boston Group members Couns Brian Rush and Anne Dorrian.

Despite the fact the bus eventually passed through Strait Bargate, the protest was declared a success.

Coun Dorrian said she felt vindicated by the turn out; while Coun Rush said he was encouraged that people were joining the protest as they noticed it was happening.

Coun Dorrian said: "There is a lot of anger towards the service going through the precinct, and local people are voicing their opinions very strongly.

"No one I have spoken to has been in support of the service and I blame Richard Austin (Boston Borough Council leader) for allowing the county council to once again treat the people of Boston so shabbily."

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