BUSES have been taken off the streets of Bolton after inspectors swooped on a depot in the town.

Random testing of 67 First Manchester single and double deckers revealed some had serious faults which needed urgent repairs.

The exact number of buses which had to be taken off the road will be revealed later this week in a report by the Vehicle Inspectorate, but it is believed to be more than a dozen.

First Manchester told the BEN that only a small number of older buses were deemed to be illegal.

Colin Gossage, the Vehicle Inspectorate's senior vehicle examiner for Greater Manchester and Derbyshire, said he could not reveal how many buses had failed the tests until he passes the report to the Traffic Commissioner later this week. However, he said investigations at the Crook Street depot were "on-going."

He added: "We have been looking at 67 vehicles in Bolton, some of which were found to have faults.

"We are continuing our examinations of vehicles until we are satisfied a high standard is being maintained."

Russell Gard, First Manchester's commercial director, said: "A random inspection of the older vehicles operating from First Manchester's Bolton depot revealed that a small proportion had defects which required immediate attention.

"The vehicles have had the work completed and are now back in service."