Recruitment problems have forced Banbury's main bus operator to hand over one of its smaller routes to a coach company.

Stagecoach no longer serves routes B1 and B2, which link Cherwell Heights and Easington with Banbury town centre. The services, which are subsidised by Oxfordshire County Council, are now provided by Grayline Coaches.

Stagecoach said it has had problems finding drivers due to low unemployment in the region. It said the handover would allow it to focus on its busiest routes.

Alan Witton, assistant public transport officer at the county council, said the timetable would remain the same, but the 11.10am B1 service and the 3.40pm B2 service have been dropped.

Grayline will run the service on a short-term contract until February, 2002, when county councillors will decide whether the subsidy should continue long-term.

The county council is also helping to fund a new B9 service, operated by Cheney Coaches, which will link Banbury town centre with Sinclair Avenue, Riley Drive and Daimler Avenue.

*On Thursday, the Oxford Mail revealed how many firms are facing a recruitment crisis due to BMW taking on extra workers to meet demand for the new Mini.