A LONGSTANDING bus depot has closed its doors for the final time.

Arriva decided to close down the building in Loftus, east Cleveland, last year and move staff to a more cost effective depots.

Local residents had raised concerns that the closure would hit services but those fears have been allayed by the transport firm Around 20 employees have lost their jobs as a result of the closure, with the vast majority of those cutbacks achieved through voluntary means.

Meanwhile, 60-65 other members of staff have been transferred to other depots.

Martin Shier, area manager for Arriva North-East, reassured residents that there would be no loss of services.

He said: "We began a period of consultation in September to see if we could save the depot by maximising revenue or reducing costs, but unfortunately, we werent able to do that.

"From a company point of view, it is very sad that we have had to close a location like this, but we are very happy we have been able to retain the vast majority of staff who have been able to transfer to other depots."