Bus passengers in Weymouth, Portland and Dorchester are warned new temporary timetables come into force today after a transport firm had to make changes due to a shortage of drivers.

First Wessex says a general driver shortage together with high levels of sickness and staff isolating has forced it to make changes to some timetables.

The changes, lasting two weeks, affect three heavily used services - Weymouth-Portland (Service 1), Weymouth-Littlemoor (Service 2), and Weymouth-Dorchester/Thomas Hardye School (Service 10/10A).

The new temporary timetables with minor changes come into effect today, Sunday, and run until Saturday, October 2.

Announcing the changes, First Wessex said: "Unfortunately, as a result of a national driver shortage across many industries and high levels of staff sickness and self-isolation, we’re having to make temporary changes to some timetables from 19 September. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause to your journey with us, but rest assured, our team are working hard to provide the best possible bus service during this period."

See the timetables at https://www.firstbus.co.uk/wessex-dorset-south-somerset/news-and-service-updates/coronavirus-covid19-service-information

Meanwhile, passengers travelling today are advised some services are affected by the Ironman 70.3 triathlon in Weymouth.

There are departure point alterations for Services 501 (Portland Bill), 502 (Littlesea) and 503 (Waterside) which will leave from K1 at the King's Statue.

Services X51, X53 (towards Axminster) and X54 (Poole) will depart from K2 and Service 2 (Littlemoor) departs from K3.

Services 4 (Preston) & 503 (Waterside) are suspended until 2pm and follow a diversion via the Weymouth Relief Road when they start running.

Service X54 (Poole) will be affected by the following alterations:

0748 from Weymouth – Weymouth King's Statue, B3159 Dorchester Road, A354 Weymouth Relief Road, A35, A352, A353 Warmwell Cross Roundabout, then continuing on to normal route.

1000 from Poole – Normal route to A353 Chalbury Roundabout, A353 Littlemoor Road, A354 Weymouth Relief Road, A354 Weymouth Way, B3155 Swannery Bridge, Commercial Road, Westham Road to King's Statue.

1000 from Weymouth - Weymouth King's Statue, B3159 Dorchester Road, A354 Weymouth Relief Road, A35 to Bere Regis, Southbrook, Rye Hill, Tout Hill, A352 to Wool Station, then continue on to normal route (Will not be serving Winfrith Newburgh, Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove).

1200 from Poole - Normal route to A353 Chalbury Roundabout, A353 Littlemoor Road, A354 Weymouth Relief Road, A354 Weymouth Way, B3155 Swannery Bridge, Commercial Road, Westham Road to King's Statue.

1215 from Weymouth - Weymouth King's Statue, B3159 Dorchester Road, A354 Weymouth Relief Road, A35 to Bere Regis, Southbrook, Rye Hill, Tout Hill, A352 to Wool Station, then continue on to normal route (Will not be serving Winfrith Newburgh, Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove).

1441 from Poole - Normal route to A353 Chalbury Roundabout, A353 Littlemoor Road, A354 Weymouth Relief Road, A354 Weymouth Way, B3155 Swannery Bridge, Commercial Road, Westham Road to King's Statue.

1645 from Weymouth - Weymouth King's Statue, B3159 Dorchester Road, A354 Weymouth Relief Road, A353 Littlemoor Road to Chalbury Roundabout, then normal route.

The 1845 X54 from Poole is unaffected by the diversion.