BUS chiefs have promised to keep disruptions to a minimum over two days of strikes.

Drivers at Stagecoach Ribble have already held a number of one-day stoppages this year after talks broke down over pay.

Union leaders say drivers in East Lancashire are lower paid than their counterparts in the company in many other parts of the country.

The one-day strikes tomorrow and on Monday will affect all services that operate from Blackburn, Burnley, Clitheroe, Preston and Chorley depots, including school services.

A Blackburn with Darwen Council spokesman said the council had arranged for other companies to provide buses for any primary and infant schools in the borough which Stagecoach Ribble could not cover.

A Lancashire County Council spokesman also said they would provide as many alternative services as possible.

On Saturday the X43 service between Manchester and Colne will operate every 30 minutes until 6pm and Service 20 between Burnley and Padiham will operate every 30 minutes until 6pm.

The Z4 service between Preston and Longridge will operate every half-hour until 6pm. The 225 between Clitheroe and Blackburn will run every half-hour until 4.30pm.

Services six and seven, the Hyndburn circular, will operate every half-hour until 5.45pm.

On Monday the X43 Colne to Manchester will run a normal service at peak periods and a 20-minute service during the day.

Service 225 between Clitheroe and Blackburn will run every 30 minutes from 8.07am to 5pm.