A BUS route that serves some of the most deprived areas of Darlington has been cut by the council.

The Green Bus services 10 and 11, which were launched a year ago and linked Firthmoor, Red Hall, Albert Hill, the Eastbourne Sports Complex, and Morrisons, have been stopped because of lack of use.

The routes were launched by Darlington Borough Council after it was given £1.07m from the Government's Urban Bus Challenge fund to tackle social exclusion in areas of social deprivation.

The Green Bus route 19 - through Whinfield, Red Hall, Morton Park, Faverdale and the new West Park estate - started at the same time, but it has thrived. Usage increased by 19 per cent in the first six months of this year.

The council will look at how it can serve the areas on routes 10 and 11 in the new year. Edwina Brown, secretary of the Firthmoor Over 60's Club, said: "Some people get the bus on a Wednesday and this is now a problem for them. They will miss it.

"There is quite a lot of people who can't afford taxis but they have bus passes."

Nick Wallis, council cabinet member for highways and transport, said: "Clearly there is much we can learn from this when we are reviewing the 10 and 11 in the new year."