WARNINGS that elderly people's minibus services are threatened have been strongly rejected by three leading Conservative district councillors in Great Ayton.

Couns June Imeson, John Fletcher and Len Groves told the parish council that critics of Hambleton council's new transport subsidy system had jumped on a bandwagon.

They described some claims made against Hambleton as grossly unfair.

The Conservative-controlled authority reduced direct transport grants to community groups this summer to fund a bus concessionary scheme.

However, Stokesley community care association said it faced losing £6,000 of grants for its two vehicles and warned that the door-to-door minibus service could be hit.

Since then, passengers and councillors from 13 parishes have held a number of meetings to discuss the charity's concerns - the latest was in Hutton Rudby this week.

But Great Ayton Parish Council has not attended the meetings.

Speaking at their meeting on Tuesday, Coun Imeson, leader of Hambleton council, said she was tired of the protests.

"I'm fed up with this. They are always saying we have cut the grants. Yes, we have - but they can use concessions on the buses. The community care association gets £2,000 without asking and can apply for more.

"But they have jumped on a bandwagon, saying minibuses will have to go. They are holding meetings to bang the drum. I refuse to go to any of their meetings. Transport officers go, but they are not listened to.

"Hambleton council is still paying £400,000 per year towards transport," she said.

Chairman Coun John Fletcher, the third Hambleton conservative at Great Ayton, said it was unfortunate that the community care association vilified Hambleton council.

"They do a good job but I have seen leaflets which infer the whole minibus thing is in jeopardy," he said, "That is not the case. The community care association knows Hambleton council will bail them out. It is grossly unfair."