SHOPPERS will be left high and dry when buses grind to a halt on Saturday and Monday.

A two-day strike by Stagecoach Ribble drivers across East Lancashire has been called by the Transport and General Workers' Union over a pay dispute.

Services operating from depots in Blackburn, Burnley, Clitheroe, Preston and Chorley will be disrupted and a Stagecoach Ribble spokesman said the majority of school bus services would also be affected.

The drivers have already staged three days of industrial action in the dispute, which began in January. The union claims East Lancashire bus drivers are paid less than workers in other parts of the company.

Stagecoach Ribble managing director Michael Chambers said they had been unable to reach a settlement despite lengthy negotiations.

He said: "The company has written to each of its drivers confirming that the final offer cannot be improved upon."