PLANS to standardise bus services in Hyndburn have been met with disapproval from the companies.

Councillors involved in the borough's bus forum were hoping companies providing services in Hyndburn would agree on principles, including how old a child is and charging policy for dogs.

The measures were discussed at the borough's forum, but have been branded unworkable by transport bosses.

Children are currently categorised differently by different companies, with some classing a child as up to 15, while others say five to 15, or up to 16.

Dog owners who take their pooches on buses are currently charged different rates - or none - depending on which company they use.

Ray Pilkington, partner in Accrington-based Pilkington Coaches, said: "A dog is a dog and a child is under 16. If we start splitting hairs we are in trouble.

"The driver has enough to do without all these powers-that-be organising people. It's a very difficult job to do and we want as few impositions on them as we can have.

"Who asked for a forum in the first place - councillors? I don't think it has much use. We run a business and we are legislated to the eyeballs."

Edgar Oldham, managing director of Rossendale Transport, said: "We have the Office of Fair Trading and anti-competition laws. If we are seen to be colluding with any other company it's against those laws.

"We would be prosecuted and could be fined, or they could take our licence off us.

"There's no way we will collude to make them the same. These are commercial decisions."

Coun Tim O'Kane, Hyndburn Council's portfolio holder for transportation, said: "We have eight different companies operating in Hyndburn and members of the public don't know whether they can or cannot get on with a dog or how much it's going to cost.

"This is one case where rules don't help the public."

The matter would be put on the agenda of the next forum meeting next month, he said.