BUS services between East Lancashire and Manchester will be affected by diversions as the city hosts the Labour Party conference.

Until next Friday, the X40 to Great Harwood, X41 to Blackburn, and the X43 and X44 to Nelson will still start and end at Chorlton Street bus station, but will go via Sackville Street and Bloom Street rather than Albert Square and Deansgate.

The Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive is advising passengers and car drivers coming into the city centre to allow extra time for their journeys.

The conference is being held at the Manchester Central exhibition centre, formerly known as the G-Mex, and parts of nearby Lower Mosley Street, Oxford Street, Peter Street and Mount Street will be shut to car traffic in the run up to and during the conference.

Michael Renshaw, GMPTE’s interim service delivery director, said: “There will obviously be some disruption to people’s journeys if they’re coming into the city centre during the next few weeks.

"The best thing to do is to plan your journey in advance and to allow a bit of extra time.”

Several demonstrations are also expected to take place between Saturday and next Wednesday, which could affect traffic too.