A bus operator has warned growing levels of Covid-related absence could force it to scale back timetables.

Stagecoach services have already been impacted by staff sickness, isolation and an ongoing driver shortage - but now bosses have warned the spread of the Omicron could affect the number of bus services timetabled in Kent and East Sussex from next week.

Managing director Joel Mitchell said "We're already seeing absence rates up by about 200 per cent, and this comes on top of an existing vacancy gap across the bus transport sector in general.

"Despite this, we are continuing to operate the majority of bus services for our communities and we expect the current challenges to be short-term.

"However, if colleague absence continues to increase in the days ahead, we may need to make some temporary adjustments to timetables.

"While less people are travelling on the bus network overall and many people work from home, it is important that for those who do need to travel to check for updates on our Twitter feed @StagecoachSE and allow extra time for their journey."

Earlier this year passengers told of being left stranded as the ongoing shortage of drivers forced Stagecoach to cancel scores of bus services every day.

People across the east of the county have become accustomed to buses failing to appear as timetabled as the lack of qualified staff hits services in Folkestone, Ashford and beyond.