STAFF at a Preston bus depot have been left untouched by the £13 million sale of four other depots in Lancashire.

Bus operators Stagecoach have announced the sale of the firm's Blackburn, Bolton, Burnley and Clitheroe depots -- in a package including 500 staff and 230 vehicles -- to Harrogate-based travel company Blazefield Holdings.

But Preston, Chorley and Fleetwood depots have been told they will remain under the reign of Stagecoach North West -- an amalgamation of the former Stagecoach Ribble and Stagecoach Cumberland. Nigel Barratt, managing director of Stagecoach North West, explained the reasons behind the sale and the merge that followed: "We have completed a review of the operation of our Lancashire depots and felt they didn't give sufficient income to warrant our continued investment.

"We have sold the four depots and all routes along with the buildings. All the staff have been transferred also -- no jobs are being lost and staff will keep their existing jobs."

He said the decision to create Stagecoach North West was done to make things easier for administration purposes.

Regarding the Preston depot in Frenchwood Avenue, Mr Barratt added: "It remains a viable concern and will do so for the foreseeable future."

Bobby Marton, regional industrial organiser for the Transport and General Workers' Union, said: "The sale has been handled professionally and the Transport and General Workers' Union wish to continue fostering the ever-improving relationships they have with both Stagecoach and Blazefield Holdings."