A NEW network of weekend late-night bus services to Bolton, Bury and Leigh from Manchester will start next month.

Seven new services have been launched to improve safety and security after trials proved successful.

Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority has funded the scheme and contracts have now been issued to operators First Manchester and UK North.

The services from Manchester Piccadilly Gardens are expected to run every 30 minutes. They will start on November 2.

Closed circuit television cameras will be installed on all the new late-night services.

Policy committee chairman Cllr Andrew Fender said: "The safety of drivers and passengers is of prime concern."

Service number eight to Bolton will depart at 12.30am and every 30 minutes until 3.30am. The 135 will depart from the same times to stops in Bury.

Service 39 - serving Leigh and Little Hulton - departs for Little Hulton only at 12.30am and every 30 minutes until 2am. The service departs for Leigh via Little Hulton at 2.30am and 3am.