WESTHOUGHTON councillors have called for more traffic wardens in the town centre amid fears that bus companies will boycott Market Street.

Bus firms have complained to council bosses, saying that if road congestion worsens they will consider rerouting main services in the town.

They say the problem is caused by inconsiderate drivers who park at the side of the narrow high street to make short trips to cash points and newsagents -- even though there are double yellow lines in the road.

Bus chiefs say their drivers can be left waiting for up to five minutes while motorists abuse the town's parking laws by blocking the road.

Councillors have appealed to council officials to appoint a permanent traffic warden to the town centre in a bid to safeguard the bus routes used by hundreds of shoppers.

Cllr David Wilkinson said: "We don't want to see strict laws brought in to book people for no reason, but on the other hand it would be terrible if we had bus companies saying they won't come down Market Street. We are aware there have been complaints.

"Some motorists seem to drive sitting on their brains but part if the problem is that there is still not enough parking in the centre. As well as looking to reopen Mill Street car park we would like to see a bigger presence by traffic wardens.

"The wardens we have got at the moment are mobile and people know they can usually get away with parking for a couple of minutes while they nip into a shop."

A spokesman for Blue Bus, who operate routes through the town, said: "It has certainly become an issue.

"We have not made any plans to pull the service or to change any routes but we would like to see an improvement in the situation before we rule it out."

A spokesman for Bolton Council said they would consult local councillors.