Ipswich Buses has been forced to cut services to four of the town's largest estates by up to 20% because of a shortage of drivers.

The number of buses on the routes to Chantry, Whitton, Castle Hill and Whitehouse have been temporarily cut while new drivers are trained and prepared to take the necessary driving tests.

Passengers have already noticed a number of cancellations on an ad hoc basis - but the company has now brought in a new timetable which will be in place until the driver shortage eases.

It hopes that by the end of the year there will be enough new drivers to reinstate the normal timetable.

The number of buses on Route 13 through Chantry to Tesco has been cut from six to five an hour with a few adjustments - meaning there are 15% fewer journeys on weekdays and 20% fewer on Saturdays.

On Route 9/10 to Whitton and Castle Hill there is also a reduction from six to five buses an hour - meaning a 19% drop on weekdays and a 15% drop at weekends.

On Route 8 to Whitehouse the number of services drops from five to four an hour after noon - which means 12% fewer run on weekdays and 15% fewer at weekends.

Ipswich Buses managing director Dan Basset said: “We understand the importance of reliable public transportation, and we deeply regret any inconvenience these temporary reductions may cause. 

"Rest assured that we are doing everything in our power to resolve the situation promptly and resume normal service.”

Bus companies across the country have reported driver shortages over the last two years with as many as one in 10 posts unfilled.

Ipswich Buses has now started an accelerated training programme to attract new drivers - they offer a starting salary of £13.50 an hour which works out at £27,300 for a 39-hour week.

The company also offers other benefits to staff including pension, life insurance, and bus passes on all its town services for the employee, their partner, and children.

It has recently changed its emphasis on recruitment to offer training to people without a full Passenger Carrying Vehicle (PCV) licence - in the past it had concentrated on attracting drivers who already had experience behind the wheel of buses.