TRANSPORT Minister Humza Yousaf is to meet with First Group to discuss plans to sell its bus services in the Borders and Midlothian.

Following the announcement on Wednesday that First Scotland East would be leaving the Borders and Midlothian, the company said it had negotiated a deal with West Coast Motors to conclude on March 25.

First Group blamed the impact of the Borders Railway for its decision to sell its operations.

John Swinney, Deputy First Minister, said the Scottish government was already looking into the proposed sale.