Cuts to Worcestershire bus services announced

Cuts to bus services and arts and music projects have been announced as a council tries to reduce its spending.

Worcestershire County Council is reducing its spending on subsidised bus services by £2.5m, more than half its £4m budget.

Its arts and music services, Worcestershire Arts Education and Worcestershire Youth Music are to be merged, saving the council £280,000.

The council has said it has to save up to £70m by 2015.

Announcing the cuts the Conservative-led council said that during consultations people said they would prefer service reductions rather than service withdrawal.