Bus passengers in west Dorset have been hit by yet another fare increase this week.

From Wednesday, June 19, all but three return fares on journeys operated by First Wessex increased by 50p.

Alongside this, some ticket prices have risen by £1 and a selection of adult single fares increased by 50p.

It comes after several child and adult single fares across the network were increased in November last year, in what the company called a “minor” change.

Adult single trips within Lyme Regis, within Axminster and within Beaminster have increased to £2.50. An adult travelling from Lyme Regis to Bridport will now pay £5.50. An adult single ticket from Axminster to Bridport will cost £6.50 and the price of a journey from Charmouth to Bridport is now £4.50.

Charmouth-Dorchester fares have increased to £6 and Lyme Regis-Dorchester fares will cost £7.

On its website, First says the increase has been brought in as the network "is run commercially with no funding from local or national taxpayers." The company says it has to 'cover all its costs from its bus users'.

"Due to this cost increases in labour, fuel and upgrading our vehicles do need to be reflected in our fares," First said.

The price of 10-journey tickets, weekly and monthly tickets are not affected by the changes.

A First Wessex spokesman said: "We are increasing some single and return fares in Dorset on Wednesday June 19.

"First in Dorset offers some 225 adult single fares. 94 per cent of single fares are unaffected by this annual fare change.

"A small number of fares (14 fares to be precise, representing 6 per cent of all adult single fares) will increase by 50p, which will also affect adult return, child single and child return fares.

"In addition, the company will change the way it calculates return fares in Dorset, which means that return fares will increase by 50p. Very few adult return fares will go up by £1."

A full list of changes can be viewed on the First Wessex website.