BUS services across the Cotswolds are being slashed as council bosses look to save £2million from its transport budget.

Two routes in the district are having services scrapped with several others facing major changes including stops removed and less frequent services.

Amid a barrage of cuts announcements earlier this year, county bosses launched a review of 170 bus routes, 42 of which are in the Cotswolds The resulting plan for £2.3million of savings, announced in May, struck a hammer blow for passengers using less popular services.

The 860 from Bibury to Cirencester and 865 from Southrop to Cirencester is having services axed. The 865 service currently costs the authority £14.15 for every return journey and has an annual net cost of £7,530.

Barnsley resident Siufan Adey, 17, said she relied on the bus to come to Cirencester for work and socialising.

"The bus already runs at ridiculous times and not at all at weekends, and now it is being reduced further," she told the Standard "We live in a rural area and need good transport services to a big town, otherwise we feel cut off.

"If they are cutting services during the week, the least they should do is add a weekend service."

There are a number of routes that will now feature a slimmed down service. They include the 612 Bourton-on-the-Water to Moreton-in-Marsh, the 855 Moreton-in-Marsh to Kemble, 861 Kempsford to Cirencester and 833 Northleach to Cheltenham.

However, some routes will be improved with extra stops provided. This includes the 29 Stroud to Tetbury service the 54 Stroud to Cirencester service and the 866 Southrop to Cirencester.

Of the seven routes still undecided, which include the 75 Fairford to Swindon, the 28 Stroud to Cirencester and 51A Cirencester to South Cerney, talks are continuing with providers and no deals have yet been struck.

Eight of the services will stay the same.

GCC leader Mark Hawthorne said it was not sustainable for things to carry on as they were and what was being offered was a "reasonable alternative"

The county council, which currently pays £5million a year for bus services, will bring the changes into effect in November.