BUS users in Christchurch could see changes made to their services as a result of further budget cuts.

Dorset County Council are consulting on changes likely to be made to services 24 and 111 run by Yellow Buses.

The routes serve parts of Christchurch including the hospital, Burton, Highcliffe, Hinton Admiral, Mudeford and Somerford as well as Bournemouth.

A statement on the council's website says: "Services 24 and 111 currently receive subsidy support from the county council.

"The contract for these routes is due to end in late July 2016, providing an opportunity to review funding arrangements for these services.

"The council and the operator, Yellow Buses, are working together to remove the need for public subsidy while retaining these routes on a commercially operated basis.

"The move to commercial operation is likely to lead to changes to the current timetables and the route these services take.

"We will be consulting with passengers to ensure the revised services continue to meet people's needs. The survey will be open from April 22 and closes on May 20."

Jeff Clayton, head of network development at Yellow Buses, said: “Dorset County Council has notified us that the contracts to support bus services 24 and 111, which are due at the end of July, are unlikely to be renewed in their current form.

“We support Dorset County Council’s initiative to consult residents who travel on these routes. Once that consultation is complete, we can identify what opportunities exist to continue delivering regular, scheduled bus services in the areas affected.

“We therefore encourage residents to respond to the questionnaire in the consultation, and to provide feedback to our Customer Services team as well.”

Cllr Margaret Phipps, county councillor for the Commons division, said: “We are asking residents about the impact of potential changes to these services. This information will help with the negotiation with Yellow buses to maintain essential services and help create a fully commercial service.”