Weekly bus ticket prices for students are to rise to compensate for increases in staffing and fuel costs.

Freedom weekly travel tickets by Stagecoach Buses will be £9 for youngsters under 16 and £10 for older students, an increase of £1.

East Sussex County Council attempted to persuade the bus company not to introduce the increase which follows a £1 increase last January.

But Stagecoach bosses said it faced large increases in their staffing and fuel costs and is to press ahead with the rise from Sunday, September 16.

It said without more revenue it would have to cut bus services, forcing passengers to travel by alternative forms of transport.

Ticket prices will also rise to match Stagecoach on routes supported by East Sussex County Council.

Council bosses said Stagecoach would not agree to accept Freedom tickets on their services sold on another service if they undercut their own Freedom prices.

Coun Anthony Reid, lead cabinet member for transport and environment, said: "Naturally I am disappointed that Stagecoach feel they have to take this measure, particularly when we are working together to try and improve the attractiveness of public transport.

"It is important that residents in East Sussex feel they are getting value for money from their bus network and that it is as simple and easy to use as possible."

He added the price changes do not affect pupils already entitled to free school transport and who receive a complimentary Freedom ticket from the council.

Adult version prices will remain the same at £15.

The maximum weekly fare will be £8 on most services for youngsters who do not need to use the Stagecoach commercial network.

Neil Instrell, divisional manager of Eastbourne-based Stagecoach South Coast Buses, said: "It has been our view that the Freedom tickets for young people have been underpriced for many years.

"We are merely increasing the price to cover the rise in expenditure."