BUS services in North Yorkshire are to be reviewed by the county council.

The authority is looking at where problems may occur in bus services due to increasing costs and is exploring different options.

North Yorkshire County Council spends more than £4m each year supporting the county's bus network.

This represents about 15 per cent of the bus services operating in the county. Higher fuel prices have increased the cost to the authority of providing bus services.

Some contractors are also reviewing the viability of commercial networks which will increase the demand for funding from the county council.

Recently, the county council agreed to provide funding to retain the service between York and Selby.

Councillor Clare Wood, the executive member for environmental services, said: "It's important for us to anticipate some of the problems which might crop up later in terms of providing the bus services which best meet the needs of local people.

"We are consulting local councillors on a wide range of options.

"The consultation results will be presented in a detailed report for members by mid-February.

"That report will also address the county council's priorities for tackling accessibility issues and reducing congestion."