A grandfather has criticised Northern Spirit for refusing to allow his disabled grandson access on to a train.

James Sproxton and his wife Maureen, of Redcar, planned to give their 13-year-old grandson Daniel Gott a treat at the weekend by taking him for a train ride.

The couple, both in their seventies, drove to Saltburn so James, who is wheelchair-bound, could travel on the Northern Spirit service from Saltburn to Redcar.

To Mr Sproxton's horror, the family were told Daniel would not be allowed to use the service because the train did not have a suitable ramp.

Mr Sproxton said: "I am very angry about it.We have never had any trouble before and Daniel was upset because he likes trains and hardly gets out of his house."

Julie Jobling, of Arriva North-East, which runs Northern Spirit, said the company was refurbishing its trains and only upgraded trains had disabled access.

She said manned stations had staff who could help with ramps, but Saltburn was an unmanned station.

She said if the family rang a freefone number to say when they wished to travel, the company would try to ensure there was someone at the station to help.

Mr Sproxton said: "It is difficult to let them know when we want to make an impromptu journey." The number for disabled passengers is 0845 6008008.