BUS operator First has just over a week to decide on changes to underused services to Manchester and Bolton.

Service 32 which links Wigan, Hindley, Atherton and Tyldesley, with Ellenbrook, Pendleton and Manchester, and the 553 which runs through Leigh, Astley, Boothstown, Walkden and on to Bolton are under scrutiny.

"Services 32 and 553 run Monday to Saturday in the daytime only and are entirely commercial undertakings, attracting no financial support of any kind," explained Simon Bennett, First's network director for bus services in Greater Manchester.

"We first highlighted our concerns about these services behind closed doors in December 2006 but we are now going public.

"We have shared a number of possible suggestions as to how we believe it may be possible to increase the number of people using these services. Among these is the possibility of additional targeted marketing directed to locations recommended by the local authority."

However, First must reach a decision on any changes it may make by Friday February 16 in order to provide 56 days notice of the changes for implementation on Sunday April 15.

A range of possibilities could mean no change (if improvements can take place), to minor amendments, significant amendments or withdrawal of the services.