BUS services are set to be reduced across parts of Rossendale at a time when fares are set to increase.

Due to rising fuel costs, the price of Rossendale Transport buses will increase from this Sunday onwards.

Adult single fares by rise by 10p but longer journeys, of £3.20 upwards, will see increases of 20p.

Day rover and off-peak rover tickets are also set to rise by 10p but weekly rover tickets remain unchanged.

The 70p child fare will not alter but 90p tickets will increase to £1.10 and £1.10 journeys will now cost £1.50 instead.

Travellers between Rossendale and Manchester will see fewer buses heading to and from the city following the axing of the X46 Citysmart service.

Peak-time buses will still operate between Rochdale and Manchester, and Whitworth, Bacup and Rawtenstall.

But the Bacup to Weir leg of the Rossendale Transport route has now been with-drawn completely, it has been confirmed.

Some services on the 464 service, between Accrington, Rawtenstall, Bacup and Rochdale, will be re-timed, on Mondays and Saturdays, to allow passengers to connect with alternative buses.

A spokesman for Rossendale Transport said: "Unfortunately there has been insufficient use of the (464) service between Bacup and Weir and this section of the route will no longer operate.

"The Sunday service will also be withdrawn from Sunday May 4, again due to the lack of use."

Customers have asked for extra buses on Sundays, along the 464 route, and these will be operated on a trial period, with services every 20 minutes.

The spokesman added: "Hopefully, if there is sufficient use of the service, we will be able to continue running the higher frequency more permanently."

Extra buses are planned by the company for the number 2 service running between Oakley and Rawtenstall though, from May 19.

Under another trial scheme, passengers can contact the firm on 01706 212954, Mondays to Fridays, on the day before the intend to travel, to take advantage of additional services to the town's Asda and Tesco stores.

However the number 5 and 6, and number 9 buses, between Rawtenstall and Loveclough, will see cutbacks from the same date.

The 5 and 6 buses will only operate three journeys on Tuesdays and Thursdays, instead of the usual four.

And just three buses will depart from Whitewell Bottom, for the number 9 bus, on Tuesdays and Thursdays only, at 9.25am, 1125am and 1.25pm, towards Rawtenstall, with two return services planned for 11.10am and 1.10pm.