BUS services were to be slashed across East Lancashire as the Ribble company axed 40 drivers.

The cuts were to hit passengers in Blackburn, Burnley, Clitheroe, Preston and Chorley, with town-to-town services bearing the brunt.

Details of the cuts were spelled out today in a report to Lancashire public transport special sub-committee.

The bus giant blamed the recession and a drop in passengers.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.