PENDLE councillors are in discussions to help improve bus services in Colne, Nelson and Brierfield.

Liberal Democrat councillors have been in talks with Boundary Mill to use the money that the company has pledged to aid the local community after getting planning permission for its new store.

The planning gain' cash, which is an agreement between the local council and the developer, could be used to pay for better bus services between the towns.

Coun Tony Greaves said: "There is also some other planning gain' money to put into the pot from developments at Corporation Street and elsewhere, and it makes sense to put all the resources together to provide one improved service rather than lots of different ones competing against each other."

"The final pattern of services will depend on the costings but we are confident that there will be real improvements to these local services.

"This is really very exciting. At a time when bus services are being cut back all over the place, we are looking forward to some very real improvements to the town services."