BUS services in Newbury have been taken over by Reading Buses.

The Newbury & District operation in the Newbury and Thatcham area employs more than 600 staff.

Reading Buses' interim head Tony Pettitt said the acquisition fitted well with the company's current expansion and would help strengthen services in West Berkshire.

The interim chief executive officer said: "We are delighted to announce the acquisition of Newbury & District's operation in the Newbury and Thatcham area.

"We have been looking at ways of strengthening and expanding our network and after the recent success with our Green Line and Thames Valley services to the east of Reading we realised we had a great opportunity on our own doorstep.

"We will be sorting out all the details and ensuring there is a smooth transition so that customers will see no disruption to their services.

"Initially, Newbury & District will be running all of their services exactly as at present whilst further into the future we may look at merging some routes and harmonising branding."