More than a dozen bus routes across Brighton and Hove are to have services cut, it was revealed today.

Brighton and Hove Buses had applied for an increase in the subsidy it receives for running unprofitable routes.

But Brighton and Hove Council is expected to refuse to raise the current figure of £750,000 a year.

The move will lead to cuts, mainly to off-peak services in the evenings and at weekends.

A final decision will be made by the council's policy and resources committee on Wednesday but bus managers believe the move is inevitable.

Brighton and Hove environment director Alan McCarthy said the authority had been hoping to support new services.

But he said when the tenders came in it became clear that the council could not support some existing services.

He added that simply to retain subsidised bus services at their current level would cost another £410,000 - money the council did not have.

Roger French, managing director of Brighton and Hove Buses, said: "This is reminiscent of the time 15 years ago, before deregulation, when bus services were more dependent on subsidies which were being cut back every year."

He said Brighton and Hove Buses only needed a three per cent subsidy.

Mr French added: "It is therefore unfortunate that even that small element of subsidy is now being cut in real terms."

Mr French said the bus services which would be hit hardest would be the less well-patronised routes and those running at quiet times such as winter Sunday evenings.

Mr French added: "There is a clear need for increased funding if such journeys are to continue, especially at a time when the costs of operating buses are escalating due to huge hikes in diesel prices and real increases in pay for staff."

Likely cuts are:

Service 2. Three return journeys between Woodingdean and Rottingdean in the evenings. Winter Sunday early morning and evening journeys between Portslade and Woodingdean.

Service 5. Winter Sunday early morning and evening journeys between Patcham and Hangleton. Services 7 and 7a. Winter Sunday early morning and evening journeys from Goldstone Villas to the Marina and Bristol Estate.

Service 14b. Winter Sunday early morning and evening journeys from Brighton Station to the Meridian Centre at Peacehaven.

Service 22. Winter Sunday early morning and evening journeys from Woodingdean to Churchill Square.

Service 24. Winter Sunday early morning and evening journeys from Coldean to Churchill Square.

Service 25. Winter Sunday early morning and evening journeys from Brighton Station to the University.

Service 26. Winter Sunday early morning and evening journeys from Hollingbury to Churchill Square.

Service 27. Winter Sunday and public holiday evening services from Brighton Station to Saltdean.

Service 57. Evening services between Brighton Station and East Saltdean.

Service 78. Summer Sunday and Bank Holiday services from Brighton Station to Stanmer Park and Village.

Service 81. Sunday and public holiday evening services between Goldstone Valley and Old Steine.

Service 81a. Sunday and public holiday evening services between Brighton Station, Queen's Park and Meadowview.

Shuttle. Stanmer Park circular on summer Sundays.

Service 147 from Brighton to Southwick.