TRAVEL firm FirstGroup Bus Service is planning to axe its services in Bury St Edmunds and at the same time close its bus depot in the town.

It is set to end its operations on March 31.

Staff in Bury have been informed about the moves but the company is not intending to make any redundancies.

It said that every member of staff affected will be offered employment at their Ipswich depot.

In a statement issued by the firm they said: “Operations at Bury St Edmunds have not been commercially viable for some considerable time, and with continued cost increases facing the industry plus the Government’s decision to reduce the BSOG (Bus Service Operators Grant) by 20% from April 2012, it is with regret that we have decided to withdraw all services at the end of March.

“The withdrawal of services should cause minimal disruption to the majority of our existing passengers.”

Nigel Barrett, regional managing director, First South East and Midlands said: “It is a shame to withdraw services from any area in which we operate, but sadly our operations in Bury St Edmunds have not been commercially viable for a while. I am pleased that we do not anticipate any redundancies due to the withdrawal of services.”