King's Lynn-based Norfolk Green is taking over all the town's bus routes

King's Lynn's Norfolk Green is taking over all the town's bus routes after funding cutbacks see First East England Buses selling its services.

Buses and drivers currently working for First will transfer to Norfolk Green and the X1 service which runs from Lowestoft to Peterborugh, via Lynn, will continue to be run by First.

'The effect of public spending cuts in the year ahead will create challenges for local bus operators in the area. By selling our Lynn town services to Norfolk Green we can concentrate on further improving our flagship X1 service,' said Alan Pilbeam, managing director of First.

Since the beginning of this month there has been a reduction in the amount of money from local authorities, including Norfolk County Council, for concessionary bus fares and protected services. From April next year a central Government grant is also due to reduce by 20pc.

'Various cutbacks in central and loval Government funding, with the prospect of more cuts to come next year, are forcing changes to bus services everywhere and by increasing the size of our business, we should be better positioned to face the next round of public funding cuts than either of us would have been separately,' said Ben Colson, managing director of Norfolk Green.

There will be timetable changes in Lynn from June as a result but Mr Colson said the company would keep them to a minimum but he warned fares may not remain unchanged because of the rising price of fuel.