A CHARITY bus service for the disabled has warned it might be forced to make cut backs owing to financial difficulties.

Darlington Dial-A-Ride runs five buses for the disabled in the town, and last year more than 6,600 residents used the service.

Running costs have spiralled to more than £70,000 a year, and with council funding of £32,000 and fare income at £22,000, there is a shortfall of £16,000.

Dial-A-Ride's finance director, Mr Charles Smith, said unless it received more donations, the service may have to axed.

He said: "Costs have gone up rapidly over the last 18 months. We were moved from our headquarters in West Crescent to Albert Hill and our water rates bill shot up immediately from £150 to £3,000. Insurance has gone up from £660 per bus to £1,081 and fuel costs have risen."

In the past, the service has been aided by gifts from charitable trusts such as Barclays Bank, Northern Rock and Nat West as well as Darlington Building Society, but so far this year only £4,000 has come in from donations.

"We provide a service which is desperately needed and we have always done it on a shoestring, relying on volunteers," added Mr Smith. "If we can't get any additional funding in the short term, there must be a question mark over the service in the long term. We will be struggling within a matter of months."

Anyone who would like to make a donation can contact Mr Smith on 01325 380070 or 382200.