THE worried workforce of Hyndburn Transport are wondering what the future holds after the council gave the green light to selling off its bus company.

John Hornsby, TGWU branch secretary, said: "We have to face the fact they are going to sell and hope there is some job guarantee.

"It is a sad day but there is an urgent need for an injection of capital and a way forward has to be found."

The TGWU represents around 90 of the 115 staff employed by Hyndburn Transport Limited.

A number of bus operators are reported to be interested in buying the company, but the council is not revealing the names of any prospective purchasers.

Stagecoach, who recently bought Pendle Council's half of Burnley and Pendle Transport, have said they would be interested.

But with Hyndburn councillors pledged to safeguarding open competition, a deal with the Scottish-based bus giant looks unlikely.

There is also speculation that operators who missed out on the Pendle sale may be turning their attention to Hyndburn.

Hyndburn Council chief executive Mike Chambers revealed that the council had looked at the possibility of partnership arrangements.

"The people we spoke to were also interested in purchasing and saw partnership as a step towards that. If we don't get offers that are satisfactory we may not sell at all."

Five union representatives from the TGWU, the AEU and the white collar section of the TGWU were invited to a meeting of the controlling Labour Group before the special policy and resources committee which made the sell-of decision.

Mr Hornsby said: "Councillors were concerned about the employees and local services, particularly those serving the elderly."

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