HUNDREDS of villagers claim they have lost out after a bus company reduced services to their area.

Rural communities across north Durham have launched campaigns demanding that the buses are reinstated.

New routes introduced in August by operator Go North-East left some villages in the Stanley area without a direct link to Newcastle.

Regular commuters also claim the replacement services are often cancelled without notice.

Among those losing out are Lynn Castrey and Deborah Christie, who live in Quaking Houses and work for the NHS in Newcastle.

Since the alterations, they must get a bus into Stanley and change at the Mary Street station to get to their jobs.

Mrs Castrey said: "It is regularly taking me three hours to get to work for what used to be a 30 minute journey."

The pair have written a letter of complaint and are handing copies to commuters, urging them to send them in.

The direct service from Tanfield to Tyneside has also gone, leaving residents with just one bus an hour to Stanley, where they must change.

Villager Robin Waugh, 63, said: "The elderly are badly affected and people can't get to work. "

Parents in Harelaw claim children using the bus to get to school or college in Newcastle are often late.

Pat Moody, who has a son and daughter at Newcastle College, said: "My daughter has been left stranded after dark more than once and this is unacceptable for a 16-year-old girl."

In Dipton, 540 people signed a petition demanding the return of the old bus system.

North Durham MP Kevan Jones plans to raise the matter in Parliament and has requested a meeting with Go North East bosses.

He said: "There are serious economic implications. People in north Durham have to be able to get to work.

"This should not simply be a commercial decision by the bus companies.

"The Government should step in to make sure the buses run where they are needed."

Martin Harris, Go North East commercial director, said the changes were designed to provide a simpler, direct Newcastle service from Stanley bus station.

He said: "We did this after a lot of thought and a lot of involvement with the local communities and Durham County Council.

"We share passengers concerns about the impact of what is a national shortage of bus drivers and are taking measures to address it."