FIRST Bus has poured cold water on rumours published in a national newspaper that the Somerset branch will be sold off.


The paper reported that FirstGroup is offloading a string of non-core assets as part of a major overhaul of its UK bus business, of which Somerset is included, along with units in the North West of England and the Midlands.


But a spokesman told the County Gazette rumours were unsubstantiated and there were no immediate plans.
 

They added: “We cannot say any more at this time.”
 

The company, led by Tim O'Toole, spooked investors in March when it signalled that operating profit at its UK bus operation would likely be £40m-£50m lower than expected this year.