PARISHES in the Stokesley area could each apply for £10,000 transport grants to buy a charity's minibus services, which are allegedly threatened by subsidy changes.

That was an expert's advice at a meeting on the future of bus services operated by Stokesley and district community care association.

Many speakers said the buses were vital, although one Swainby councillor questioned the association's ability to cope with the growing demand from elderly passengers and those without cars in rural villages.

The meeting was organised by Rudby Parish Council and attended by people from Stokesley, Kirkby, Newby, Kildale, Crathorne, Ingleby Arncliffe, Swainby and Potto. Nobody attended from Great Ayton, although the charity buses operate there.

The meeting heard how Hambleton Council previously paid £11,000 directly to the care association for its two mini buses. However, this year, it has offered only £5,000 and introduced half fare bus passes for pensioners to use on any bus.

Overall, Hambleton's transport funding had risen, the meeting was told. It was suggested the care association increased its excursion fares and reviewed its operations to cover the shortfall. Extra subsidy was available, but the association had to submit details on its bus operations. It could not claim for excursions - only for essential door-to-door journeys.

But the association claimed the £6,000 loss threatened all its bus services. It feared people with poor mobility or no access to commercial buses would be marooned.

Mr Kevin Holt, of Hambleton and Richmond rural transport partnership, said under the three-year parish transport fund, every parish could get up to £10,000 to spend on its needs. This could be spent on the association's mini buses, as long as services were in some way increased.

Swainby district Coun John Morley said other grants remained available for new vehicles, even though many associations had "substantial reserves". However, he questioned the Stokesley association's ability to cope with demand.

"It seems stretched to the limit, functionally. Even if it can meet costs, I doubt, frankly, it can meet parishes' needs."

Mr Tom Agar, an association executive, passionately defended its charitable work. Hambleton council did not understand passengers' needs.

"Charging realistic commercial fares is not the point of our charity".

Other funding sources, such as one-off lottery grants, were inappropriate for bus services.

Mrs Val Anthony, of Kildale, said the association's buses were vital.

"More than 30pc of our population is aged over 70 and many women do not drive. Kildale has one weekly bus to Northallerton. Services are centralised in market towns and residents are concerned they cannot get to supermarkets or banks."

She also had worries about raising parish money for grants.

"We do not levy a rate, because account costs would be greater than our precept."

Stokesley Coun Caroline Seymour urged parishes to apply for grants, stressing: "It would be foolish not to bid."

Coun Mike Richardson, also of Stokesley, urged parishes to get involved in the area's community investment prospectus, to identify priorities.

Coun Judith Follows, of Hutton Rudby, said parishes had the collective power to find a solution. Councillors would consult their parishes and meet again in October