WE residents of the Mowden and Hummersknott area of Darlington are very much aware that we have a very poor bus service.

On a particularly cold day I waited at the bus stop at the top of Tubwell Row in the town centre. I arrived ten minutes before the bus was due - but, as so often happens, it did not turn up, which meant a wait of 50 minutes for the next one.

Our long, cold wait was not enhanced by watching five buses for Skerne Park, four for Whinbush Way and three for Branksome go past in the time the five of us waited.

I wrote to the bus company, Arriva, asking for an explanation and, perhaps, an apology. Despite two letters, Arriva - following its usual practice - has so far ignored them.

C Dinsdale, Darlington.