VILLAGERS who have been left stranded by bus service cuts are demanding a rethink.

People living in Hesleden, east Durham, said the decision to axe public transport has caused problems.

Local businessman Andrew Borthwick has launched a campaign to have the four-times-a-day service reinstated and has started a petition to show support.

He said removing the Arriva 247 service has left people who want to travel to Hartlepool catching up to three buses to make their journey.

There are buses north to Peterlee and to nearby Blackhall Rocks, where travellers have to change to catch another service to Hartlepool.

Mr Borthwick, 46, who runs the village shop and post office, said: "The most annoying part of it is that no one knew it was going to happen. One day there were buses and the next there were not."

The service was one of hundreds that were subsidised by Durham County Council, but when they went out to tender this year, the cost was way above the £3.5m in the authority's budget.

A county council spokesman said it had to make service cuts.

"Passenger loadings on this particular service were very low so sadly this was one of the ones we had to cut from our list."