A CAMPAIGN to revamp Durham's busy bus station has been given the backing of passengers.

Janice Spence, from Burnhope, near Lanchester, was spurred into action after watching mothers with small children and elderly people struggle with an uncomfortable wait for their bus.

She said the station needs a wind-proof waiting area, more seats and new toilets to replace the single toilet cubicle situated where passengers queue for buses.

She said: "I think an awful lot of people don't know how bad it is because they're safely in their cars.

"So many people use it, yet there's just two benches to sit on and I've seen so many people sitting on the ground. There's nowhere for young mothers with babies or people with a long wait."

Mrs Spence has collected signatures calling for improvements to the station and sent them to Durham MP Gerry Steinberg and Durham County Council's public transport co-ordinator Doug Hamilton.

Durham County Council has already arranged a meeting with owners of the bus station, Arriva North East, early next month to tackle the problem.

A spokesman for the council said: "We're aware of the shortcomings of the bus station and at the moment we're looking to see what improvements can be made.

"We're meeting Arriva to discuss the improvements that we think might be made with the owners of the bus station and to see what can be done and what sources of funding might be available to implement those improvements."

The county council is hoping for better information boards and sliding doors to keep out draughts.

Iain McInroy, operations director at Arriva North East, said there were no planned improvements to the bus station at this stage.

He said: "We are regularly in discussion with Durham County Council about services and the bus station in Durham. Although at present there are no planned improvements to the bus station, the area has recently been repainted and we are considering installing more seating."