Early morning commuters could find themselves stranded when the revised bus timetables come into effect at the end of the month.

At least one service a day will be scrapped on ten Bradford routes from March 30 - many of which will be the first bus of the day.

They are being axed because of a lack of passengers using them, said the district's main bus operator First. Some late-night buses are also due to be withdrawn.

One of the worst affected routes will be the 624 from Wrose to Shipley, where three journeys - the 5.13am, 5.43am and 6.13am - are being axed.

Tim Bailey, of Bradford, who has used the 5.13am bus for the past seven years to get to work at textile firm AB Moon and Sons in Guiseley, said he was appalled by the decision.

"People like me who work 6am-2pm shifts will now have to get taxis instead, which will cost £3.50. Where it cost me £5 a week will now cost £17.50," he said.

But Khadim Hussain, operations director at First Bradford, said: "Many of the early morning buses are run by us on behalf of Metro and because of the requirements of them, the tender has been withdrawn."

Councillor Ann Ozolins (Lib-Dem, Idle), Bradford Council's representative on the West Yorkshire Passenger Transport Authority, said: "It seems like a conspiracy between the two to get people off public transport and into cars."

Val Summerscales, secretary of Bradford Chamber of Trade, said: "All providers of services should be prepared to take the rough with the smooth - an overall service should be run, not just the popular routes."

The cancelled routes/ times are:

610 - 5.14am; 615/616 - 5.16am on Saturdays and 7.28am on Sundays; 624 - 5.13am, 5.43am, 6.13am Mondays to Fridays; 627 - 8.38am on Sundays; 670 - 5.05am and 6.05am on Saturdays; 680 - 6.45am, 11.18pm Mondays to Fridays; 681 - 5.05am Mondays to Fridays; 698 - all day Sundays; 709 - 6.25am Mondays to Fridays; 845 - 11.05pm Mondays to Fridays.