RAIL users in east Cleveland have been grilling representatives from Arriva Trains following the company's decision to reduce services in the area.

Meetings took place last night at Redcar Station Business Centre and on Tuesday night at the Victoria pub in Saltburn.

Last week, the troubled firm announced that scores of trains from Newcastle to Saltburn, via Darlington and Middlesbrough, would be replaced with bus services as it introduced a "robust and reliable" timetable for the winter.

Richard Hill, commercial manager for Arriva Trains North, said the problem had arisen because there had been a shortage in the number of drivers when Arriva took over the service.

He added there had been a problem with recruitment and retention because bigger train operators, such as Virgin and GNER, offered salaries of £9,000 a year more than Arriva - salaries that Arriva could not match.

He said Arriva had recruited 170 drivers but a 15-month training programme means it will be some time before passengers start to feel the benefit.

He said replacing trains with buses was "not ideal."

At the Saltburn meeting, Mr Hill was asked about the safety of trains and comfort for passengers. He was also asked if an express service to Darlington could be set up.

The company also faced criticism for being hit-and-miss with its services, as people said some trains stopped at certain places while others did not, leaving passengers feeling angry and confused.

He was also asked why the service at Teesside Airport could not be improved and whether a ticket system that integrated the company's trains and bus services could be introduced.

People also complained that the bus which now takes them from Redcar to Saltburn added another 25 minutes to their journey time. Mr Hill apologised on behalf of the company.

Mr Hill said he would be taking people's comments, questions and ideas back to the company to tell managers what passengers in east Cleveland thought.