COUNCILLORS have demanded assurances from potential buyers of Blackburn Transport that all jobs will be safe for at least three years.

Senior members of Blackburn with Darwen Council agreed to let private bus companies bid for a stake of up to 90 per cent of the business.

The Evening Telegraph revealed this year that 40 per cent of Blackburn Transport, one of fewer than 20 council-owned bus firms in the UK, was being offered around.

But a secret report to the council's executive board said the response to the proposal had been disappointing, while there had been interest from companies wanting a greater share.

A 90 per cent sell-off would leave the authority with only a minimal ability to insist money from the one profitable route is used to support other services, many of which run at a loss, warned angry union leaders.

The council has said it is looking at a sale to generate money for transport initiatives and improve bus services. And Coun Andy Kay, the council's executive member for regeneration, today revealed it was hoped several clauses could be put in any majority stake sale.

These included keeping existing bus routes, no redundancies for three years and a commitment Blackburn Transport would continue to be based in the town.

Coun Kay said: "There is no guarantee there will be a sale at all but we do need to do something to ensure we have a viable bus company in the town for the future.

"We are hopeful of adding these clauses to any contract but we don't know how much interest there will be."

Blazefield Holdings, which runs Burnley and Pendle Travel and Lancashire United buses, offered to buy 90 per cent when the council was only asking for 40.

Unions predict a sale of 90 per cent would generate £2.5million for the council, which is trying to meet a £4million wage hike caused by new equal opportunity laws.

A spokesman for the Transport and General Workers Union said: "These conditions aren't enough. We still believe privatisation will lead to fewer services for the people of Blackburn."

Blackburn Transport has run at a loss for the past two years after a 'bus war' with now defunct rival Catch-me-bus.com.