Bus operator Stagecoach has improved local services after asking passengers what they wanted.

Changes to Banbury town and rural routes begin today after six months of customer feedback and analysis of ticket sales.

David Whitley, marketing manager for Stagecoach, said: "Our objective is to increase the use of public transport by concentrating on routes with a potential for passenger growth."

Two of the improvements affect the Hardwick and Bretch Hill journeys.

Service B8 to Hardwick has been re-routed for daytime trips to offer a more direct journey to the town centre. It misses out the Sinclair Avenue loop. The B8 now runs every 15 minutes.

The Bretch Hill service has also changed. Buses previously ran clockwise and anti-clockwise around the estate at 20 minute intervals. The B5 clockwise service now runs every 12 minutes.

More buses are running on the Banbury to Oxford X59 route in the morning and evening, and at weekends there will be late night departures from Oxford at 9.50pm and 1am.