COUNTY transport chiefs are set to give the nod to a raft of bus service offers and improvements totalling more than £8m.

An award of £7.025m was made to Lancashire County Council for its third bus service improvement plan by the government.

Members of the authority's enhanced partnership executive board also agreed to use £995,000 saved from withdrawing a current 'Buy Saturday, Get Sunday Free' fares offer, and £500,000 allocated to fares initiatives under their second bus plan.

The bulk of the funding, around £5.5m will now be given to a young persons discounted fare scheme, which will see those aged 16 to 21 offered a third off adult single, return and day ticket fares on buses via a pass.

Another initiative would be a £1 Sunday adult single ticket countywide, at a cost of £1.5m.

Around £200,000 would be spent on extra members of bus station staff to promote improvements.

And 12 bus service enhancements are pencilled to cover £1.32m.

The only East Lancs enhancement would see extra Monday to Saturday evening services for Rossendale's 481 and 483 services.

Phil Durnell, county transport director, says in a Thursday cabinet report: "Extra members of staff will be employed at Lancashire County Council managed bus stations.

"This will allow for an increased customer service and security provision, including the opening of the information office at Preston to support customers and extending operational hours of the sites.

"The remaining marketing budget will help promote initiatives funded through Bus Service Improvement Plan 3 as well as other events such as Catch the Bus Week."