TRAIN operators in the region said yesterday their services had been busier due to the fuel crisis, but were not concerned about running out of fuel themselves.

Great North Eastern Railways said as most of its North-East services were electrified there was no danger of them not running.

A spokesman said: "There have been no problems so far.

"The trains will continue to run as most of them are electric. And for those few that we do have that are diesel, we have had assurances we will be able to get fuel for those.

"We have seen an increase in people travelling by train."

Most mainline train services are unaffected because the lines are electrified. Northern Spirit's trains run on diesel, but the company reports its fuel stocks are fine.

Stagecoach bus services in Newcastle only have enough fuel to last until Thursday, but Arriva said it had plenty of fuel at the moment. Some operators said buses were running low on fuel after being stuck in jams caused by petrol queues.

Newcastle Airport has enough fuel at present.

Bus services in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, were disrupted yesterday as Harrogate and District Travel cut services to conserve fuel.

Services in the Wedderburn, Claro Road, Dene Park, and Pannal areas were axed as were services to Morrisons superstore in Starbeck and Sainsbury's at the Great Yorkshire Showground. The Harrogate-Otley service has stopped, with limited services to Crossways, Fieldway and Bachelor Gardens

Services on the Ripon-Harrogate-Leeds route were operating but halted just after the evening rush hour. The last bus from Harrogate to Knaresborough is running at 7.05pm and the final bus to Jennyfield at 6.50pm.

The company has an information line on (01423) 884020