ARRIVA has dismissed claims that it is facing opposition to its running of train services in Denmark.

The Sunderland-based transport group was awarded a £150m contract to run two regional rail franchises in the country, in December last year.

It beat state-owned companies DB Regio and DSB to become the first private company to operate rail services tendered by the Danish Government.

Reports have suggested that the company is facing protests after the Danish media learnt of its recent poor record in the UK.

Arriva was forced to slash its train timetable last year because of a shortage of drivers, and is currently grappling with industrial disputes in both its bus and rail divisions.

Spokeswoman Julie Jobling said: "These reports are somewhat dated. There were Government concerns over driver shortages raised with us around the time when the contracts were awarded last year, but these were quickly allayed."

Arriva had celebrated its order of 30 trains for the Danish rail franchises just three weeks ago, she said.

The company is already the largest provider of bus services in Denmark and is also involved in a joint venture to operate the Copenhagen Metro.