HORRIFIED parish councillors have been told children had to travel in the driver's cab on a crowded train home from school.

Some youngsters were even left on the platform at Whitby when their homeward train was too small, it was claimed.

Members of Danby Parish Council also heard of youngsters walking nearly ten miles back home when a morning train hit a tree.

No-one told them buses were arriving for them to complete the journey, last week's meeting heard.

But train operators Arriva North dismissed some of the claims.

The regional director, Mr Chris Limbert, pledged: "We will be having a full investigation."

Councillors, however, have run out of patience with the long-running saga of school transport problems in the Esk Valley.

They are to summon North Yorkshire County Council chiefs to the parish for face-to-face talks.

Chairman Coun Herbert Tindall warned: "Let's get them here and give them some stick. And if they won't come to us we will go to them."

The latest in a catalogue of incidents involving the school run to Whitby was spotlighted by Coun Les Underwood.

He said only two carriages turned up to take children home on Monday last week. Some children were told they had to wait for the next train while others were put in the driver's cab when space ran out.

"It beggars belief," he said.

Coun Graeme Thompson said a woman passenger had described it as the ride from hell.

Both councillors had heard reports that the guard did not collect fares because the train was so packed.

Coun Ian Dodsworth said: "We can't carry on like this. The situation is getting out of control."

Coun Thompson said when a Whitby-bound morning train hit a tree two days later at Glaisdale, some children walked back to Castleton. He said no-one told them buses were being sent instead.

Eskdale school head teacher Mr David Bradley has told parents in a letter that he has criticised Arriva for an appalling service. He also said he might mount a campaign if things do not improve.

Referring to repeated approaches to bus and train firms, MPs and local authorities over several months, Coun Tindall said the parish was sick of not getting satisfactory responses to queries and complaints about school transport.

Coun David Hodgson said: "This is a tragedy waiting to happen."

Mr Limbert agreed two carriages was not enough for the Esk Valley journey but said the usual three-carriage train, which came from Leeds every morning, had not been available.

He could not confirm whether pupils travelled in the driver's cab or not, but insisted all children had been accommodated on the train.

He said the driver of the train which hit a tree did all he could to free the vehicle but had to limp the carriages back to Glaisdale.

"Buses were arranged and people were informed but we can't force passengers to wait," he said.

Mr Limbert said Arriva had a procedure in place for such incidents but pledged a full review and an investigation.

"If there are shortfalls we will correct them immediately," he said. "We don't want any grief. We don't want anything to affect the safe running of our trains and buses. Last week we got it wrong.