Stokesley bus drivers discussed the depot's forthcoming closure with a trade union representative yesterday.

Transport and General Workers' Union shop steward Bob Fotheringham spoke to drivers in the morning.

Issues expected to be discussed included the possible relocation of staff to depots at Redcar and Stockton, and the widely-expected axing of traditional Stokesley services.

Mr Fotheringham, who is based at the Loftus depot, was unavailable for comment after the meeting.

Other drivers declined to speak publicly but passengers across the district have voiced their anger over the closure and cuts.

Susan Allison, of Crathorne, called the D&S Times, saying she relied on the bus to get to her daily cleaning jobs in Hutton Rudby, Stokesley and Yarm.

"And there are teenagers, pensioners and Crathorne Hall Hotel workers who use buses, too. We're very concerned," she said.

Her son may no longer be able to play rugby in the evening at Stokesley School. She plans to lobby Crathorne Parish Council and is considering a petition.

At Hutton Rudby, frustrated passengers Ralph Malham, Alice Barrigan, Dot Lane, Linda McPhee and Anne Reeves attended the latest parish meeting.

Mr Malham said: "We cannot get home after 4pm. It's ridiculous. People can't get to work or have a night out. One Hutton Rudby girl got a bus to Yarm and train to York, for work. Now, she can't."

Mrs Barrigan claimed Arriva had North Yorkshire County Council "over a barrel".

She added: "The county is subsidising services but they're not being promoted."

District Coun Simon Whitfield claimed Arriva wanted extra subsidies and was blackmailing the county council.

Coun Irene MacDonald described Arriva bosses as robber-barons.

"The county council is like a lamb to the slaughter when dealing with the firm."

Chairman, Coun Judith Follows, said the parish could write to Arriva and the county council, and explore alternative services.

She said passengers' needs should be included in a Stokesley district community investment prospectus to identify future priorities.

Tony Batty, Arriva business development manager, has been contacted by various parish councils and passengers. He has been invited to a Kirklevington transport meeting on December 4.

"We are not holding anyone to ransom," he said. "Any operator can apply to run buses on routes. We must make a decision on the No 21 service to Yarm, Kirklevington, Hutton Rudby and Stokesley by mid-December, and it's difficult to go into details at this time.