BUS passengers in Wiltshire could be picked up from their doorsteps under government moves to make services more convenient.

Ministers will offer bus companies lucrative rebates of up to 70 per cent off the cost of fuel if they agree to set up "flexible" routes.

It is hoped the cash incentive will encourage firms to run buses that pick up and drop off passengers wherever they want including their homes.

But John Owen, managing director of Thamesdown Transport, said: "It is not likely to affect mainly urban operators like ourselves but anything which extends the accessibility of public transport to a wider section of the population I would welcome."

A small number of flexible services already exist, including the Wiltshire Wigglybus, which links a number of villages and hamlets between Devizes and the Vale of Pewsey.