TRANSPORT services in one of the poorest parts of Trafford could benefit after the area's passenger authority submitted a £5m bid to the Government last week for extra mini-buses in Greater Manchester.

It could lead to mini buses and people carriers being introduced to the borough's Clifford ward, which covers Old Trafford.

The aim would be to allow residents in the area greater access to health, education and employment services.

The funding would come from the Government's 'Urban Bus Challenge', a scheme designed to create transport in urban areas experiencing social and economic deprivation, or suffering from inadequate mobility services.

Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority (GMPTA), which made the bid, has pinpointed seven other areas in the county outside Trafford which are eligible for the financial aid.

GMPTA spokesman for Trafford Councillor Roland Griffin said: "Demand responsive transport is proven to assist in reducing social exclusion by taking people who live in an area to a wide range of destinations."

Last year GMPTA received more than one million pounds from the 'Urban Bus Challenge', which has been partly used to provide door-to-door transport for Wythenshawe residents to travel to their local hospital, Manchester airport and other amenities in the area.

Secretary of State for Transport Alistair Darling is expected to announce the successful bidders this autumn.