WILTS & Dorset is to base some of its fleet in Bournemouth as it takes Dorset's bus wars to the home turf of rival Yellow Buses.

The Poole-based operator is believed to be planning a move of some vehicles to a base at the Southcote Road depot operated by Excelsior Coaches.

It would be the first time Wilts & Dorset has had a proper presence in Bournemouth since its bus station there was wrecked by fire in 1976.

An industry insider said a notice in the Wilts & Dorset headquarters in Poole had told staff of "substantial further expansion within the Bournemouth area", with some services running from the Excelsior depot. Drivers and inspectors would be based at an office in the town.

It was claimed that up to 60 buses could be based in Bournemouth, although Excelsior says it could not accommodate that number on its property.

Alex Carter, managing director of Wilts & Dorset, said the company was not ready to reveal the contents of the notice issued to staff.

But he revealed there was a need for more capacity than its Poole depot could provide. "We need to look at an additional facility somewhere and because we don't have a facility in Bournemouth and our routes run across the conurbation, it makes sense to look for something further east than Poole," he said.

Wilts & Dorset, owned by the Go Ahead group, was recently disappointed in its bid to buy Yellow Buses from Bournemouth council.

The two companies have been engaged in a battle for passengers, with allegations that the competition had spilled over into road rage incidents.

It is believed Wilts & Dorset's plans could include launching a "Super Six" route to rival Yellow Buses' service from Kinson to the town centre.

Ken Robins, chairman of Excelsior, said his firm had sent out a mailshot to all members of the Confederation of Passenger Transport offering the chance to rent space at its depot.

"If Wilts & Dorset wants to take advantage of that, that suits me, but there's no specific arrangement with them," he said.

He said the site could offer parking only to 20-30 additional vehicles.

Bournemouth council is awaiting confirmation that it will be allowed to sell the Yellows to preferred bidder Transdev.

Garry Corrie, service delivery director for Yellow Buses, said of Wilts & Dorset's latest moves: "We've heard nothing official but what Go Ahead do with their local operations is up to them. We'll continue in the same way as we've always done - providing the best possible bus service for the travelling public of Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch."

James Wall, branch secretary for the T&G union, which represents Yellow Buses drivers, said: "I've heard the rumours. At the moment I am treating them as rumours until we know differently.

"We're optimistic that the sale to Transdev will be completed shortly and then we will have the ability to compete more freely because suddenly there will be all this money available.

"We're confident of a quick sale now and then we can look forward to a secure future."