BUS services across East Lancashire are to be cut as councils slash subsidies for services.

Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council last night revealed plans to axe £400,000 from its transport budget which includes subsidies to protect bus services and school travel.

It represents a 20 per cent reduction, and that means routes are likely to be merged, scaled back or even scrapped altogether.

No details have been provided on which may be affected, but subsidies pay for non-profitable services, such as to rural areas or estates.

Hours earlier Lancashire County Council had announced eight East Lancashire bus services were to be axed as it cuts up to £179million from its budget.

County council highways chief Tim Ashton said that he regretted the move, which will affect Accrington, Bacup, Baxenden, Clitheroe, Whalley, Blackburn, Rawtenstall and local Pendle routes.

Lancashire County Council bus cuts

234 Nelson - St John Thursby CC school journey. All services axed.

897 Burnley Glen View Road - St John Thursby CC school journey. All services axed.

16 Colne - Lenches -Bunkers Hill. Withdraw all services Mon-Sat daytime.

68 Nelson - Barrowford - Colne. Withdraw all services Mon-Sat daytime.

97 Nelson - Valley Mills. Withdraw all services Mon-Sat daytime.

98 Nelson - Marsden Heights. Withdraw all services Mon-Sat daytime.

573 Rawtenstall - Edgworth - Bolton. Sun & Bank Holidays during the day. Services axed to every two hours.

464 Rochdale - Bacup - Accrington. All evening services axed.

12 Spring Hill - Accrington - Baxenden. All services axed Mon-Sat during the daytime.

225 Clitheroe - Whalley - Blackburn. Sunday evening journeys axed.

03/280 Preston - Clitheroe - Skipton / Clitheroe - Low Moor Circular / Clitheroe - Waddington & West Bradford Circular. Reduce amount paid to bus company for services Mon-Sat daytime.

Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council bus cuts

Details yet to be announced.