HUNDREDS of villagers have signed a petition calling for their “lifeline” bus service to be reinstated after its axing left them with a walk of almost a mile to their nearest stop.

More than 150 residents of Brafferton have signed the petition over the loss of the number 5a bus service which ran from the village to nearby Darlington.

The service, operated by Arriva, came to an end in January this year after the subsidy provided by Darlington Borough Council was withdrawn due to budget cuts.

Since then, residents have been left with a three-quarters of a mile walk along an unlit country road to their nearest bus stop in Coatham Munderville.

Resident Alison Firby said as about half the villagers were aged over 60 years, many of whom do not drive, bus services were vital.

She said: “We have to walk up and down steep hills with no footpath and no street lighting now.

“Some of the residents have small children while others are very old and cannot physically make the journey.

"One elderly resident walked to the bus stop by holding onto trees and fence posts. When she finally reached Darlington she broke down into tears and said she couldn't carry on making the journey anymore."

Sadberge and Whessoe councillor Brian Jones condemned the ending of the service, saying it left residents in increasing danger and isolation.

Arriva defended the move, saying financial pressures had left it no choice.

Nick Knox, area managing director for Arriva North East, said: “The number of passengers making the journey was very low which meant that continuation of the service has not been viable without continuing financial support."

Sedgefield MP Phil Wilson will hand the petition into parliament next week.

He said: "I know times are very hard at the moment, but Arriva have taken so much from these remote villages and I think it is about time they gave something back - we are all in this together.”

Meanwhile, more than 50 people attended a public meeting to discuss impending cuts to bus services in Harrowgate Hill, at the village’s workingmen's club on Wednesday.

The meeting, arranged by Councillor Gill Cartwright, was attended by Mr Knox, who agreed to review services in the area over the coming months.