TRANSPORT watchdogs are warning that Bridport bus depot is under threat, along with 30 local jobs.

They say its future depends on two lucrative contracts being retained by operators First.

A decision on who will run the prestigious 31 and X53 tourist routes is due to be decided by the county council within the next few weeks.

But David Redgewell, of the Campaign for Better Transport, is warning that First faces a bumpy ride in its bid to retain the two services.

He said: "If First loses the contract we think that Bridport bus depot will not survive. Dorset County Council's track record so far has been to award contracts away from First.

"I am fearful for local bus drivers' jobs in Bridport.

"The same thing happened in Shaftesbury and they (the county council) have already done an awful lot of economic damage to Shaftesbury and they are about to do the same in the rest of Dorset. I am out to save Bridport bus depot."

But a spokesman for Dorset County Council accused the watchdog group of being alarmist' and talking about something which might never happen'.

Passenger transport manager Barry Thirlwall said contracts for the two cross-boundary routes - jointly financed with Devon County Council - were due to be renewed next year.

"We have gone out early to tender but those have only just been returned and no decision has yet been made," he said.

Andy Barr, spokesman for First, said the company had not received any indication it was likely to lose the contracts. He confirmed that around 30 were employed at the Bridport depot, near St Michael's Trading estate.

"We are working hard to ensure we continue to operate this tender," he added.