BLACKBURN'S pioneering bouncers-on-the-buses scheme is proving a success after just two weeks.

But today the councillor responsible for implementing the trial project urged revellers to keep on using it to justify the council making resources available for it to be continued next year.

For the last two weeks, Blackburn with Darwen Council and Blackburn Transport have joint funded three late-night bus services running on Friday and Saturday nights along two routes.

The services run at midnight, 1am and 2am along the 346's daytime route to Darwen and to Accrington. But unlike the daytime service, all fares are £2, a registered doorman rides on the bus and the bus will stop anywhere along the route so people are as close as possible to their homes. Passengers also benefit from CCTV.

Coun Maureen Bateson, executive member for welfare rights and consumer affairs, said: "The first week didn't see many people using it but last weekend it really took off and the later buses were really full.

"In my opinion, it is working because it is providing a service when people often can't find hackney carriages to take them home. But people need to prove it is a service they want to use.

"It runs for two more weeks and then we will review it."

It has not been decided if the council will fund the project should it be continued in the long term.

Coun Bateson added: "I would like to see bus companies offering the service because it is viable for them to do so.

"But the scheme as it is is unique and appears to be working and I think there is a strong case for it being continued."

The N3 service, from Blackburn to Darwen Cemetery and the N46 service, to Accrington, will both leave Blackburn on the hour at midnight, 1am and 2am on Friday and Saturday night.

The Darwen bus will collect passengers from Darwen Street, opposite Radio Lancashire only and the Accrington bus will pick up passengers outside Blakey's, in Northgate.

Fares are £2 to all stops and Passengers will have the added benefit of CCTV. and a registered doorman on each bus to ensure the journey passes safely.

Passengers can get off the bus anywhere along the two routes, but the buses will not be taking on any passengers anywhere other than in Blackburn town centre.

Coun Bateson added: "It does, after all, provide a safe way home."

Other councils are watching to see how the scheme works.