THE problem of how to get home after a night out in Bolton town centre could soon be over with the introduction of a weekend night bus service for pubgoers and clubbers.

Transport chiefs have awarded First Manchester a contract to operate six hourly services from Bridge Street between midnight and 3am on Friday and Saturday nights.

As a safety measure, CCTV cameras will be installed on all night buses and security staff will patrol town centre bus stops.

Passengers will pay a flat rate of £2 to use the services, which will start on October 29 and run for a 15-month trial.

Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority, Greater Manchester Police and Bolton Council have all been involved in setting up the service.

Bolton Council has contributed towards the installation of the CCTV cameras and the police have provided hand-held radios for security staff to use at the bus stops.

Transport bosses believe the night bus network, which already operates in Manchester and Wigan, will be a success in Bolton.

Cllr Nick Peel, GMPTA spokesman for Bolton, said: "This is great news for Bolton. At the moment, taxi services are overwhelmed by demand on weekends, so I am sure the night bus services will prove a popular alternative.

"I am particularly pleased that the services will be up and running in time for the busy Christmas period. Night bus services can make a real contribution to cutting down on alcohol-related, anti-social behaviour. The safety and security of bus drivers and passengers is of great importance to the authority.

"We are delighted to have the full backing of the police and Bolton Council, who are both contributing funding towards security measures."

Cathy Savage, Bolton Town Centre Manager, said: "It's a fantastic idea and will complement the services already offered by taxi drivers.

"It will help people to get home safely and, hopefully, will attract a lot more people into Bolton."

The six new Nightbus services funded by the GMPTA will be:

125 to Doffcocker and Horwich via Chorley Old and New Roads;

508 to Astley Bridge, Hall i'th' Wood, Tonge Moor and Harwood;

524 to Bury via Little Lever and Radcliffe;

536 circular via Darcy Lever;

541 to Westhoughton and Daisy Hill;

582 to Leigh via Atherton.

The night bus service will join two other services operated by First Manchester - the 8 and 36, which links Farnworth, Little Hulton, Walkden and Swinton to Bolton. These services will terminate at Bridge Street instead of Moor Lane bus station from October 29.