A local bus company has taken over a route scrapped by a regional firm.

Residents in Acton Dene, Stanley, are delighted that, as well as keeping the 702 running, Stanley Buses will be returning buses to their estate.

Protest erupted last year when Go NorthEast decided to re-route the 702 to the fringe of the Acton Dene estate, leaving pensioners stranded.

The firm then decided to withdraw the route completely - but Stanley Buses, which is part of Stanley Taxis, agreed to take the 702 over.

Acton Dene Residents' Association chairwoman Jill Te Ah, said: "We are delighted Stanley Buses have taken over the service.

"This will help the pensioners especially, as our own post office is closed.

"It will make it much safer for our children as well. Since the buses stopped coming on to the estate they have had to cross a busy road."

Stanley Buses bus operations manager Andrew Goodchild said the firm had been preparing to run a service to the Acton Dene estate, when it was invited by Durham County Council to take on the 702 service.

He said: "We decided that if we took on the service we would have to cover the areas being missed out."

The 702, which runs between Shield Row and Stanley, via the Stanley Hall and Acton Dene estates, will be taken over from Saturday.