A father says a decision by a rural railway company to evict him and his family is "disgusting."

John and Debra Harker have been served an eviction notice ordering the couple and their two children to leave their home in the station yard in Leyburn by July 28.

The family rents the cottage from Wensleydale Railway plc, which runs tourist trains between Leyburn and Leeming Bar from the nearby station.

Mr Harker, 45, said: "We got the notice to quit when I was ill in hospital in January, after I had a small stroke. "I think it's disgusting that they could do this to us.

"They waffle on about how much good they do for the community and then they evict a young family."

The family moved into the home three years ago when Mr Harker worked for the company as a bus driver.

Mr Harker has lived in Wensleydale all his life, but is now facing up the possibility he will have to leave the area because the couple can not find affordable accommodation for themselves and their 12-year-old son Alistair and 15-year-old daughter Natalie.

He said: "I was born and bred in Wensleydale and I don't want to leave.

"The council has offered us one room in a homeless hostel - this is no place for a family.

"I feel very angry and depressed about what has happened."

Colin Dales, housing unit manager for Richmondshire District Council, confirmed the family had been offered a single room in a homeless hostel.

He said: "We accept this is not ideal but it's only designed as emergency accommodation.

"We have to make a decision as to whether the family has a claim for permanent re-housing.

"In the meantime we have offered them a room in our homeless hostel in Catterick."

A spokesman for the company said she did not wish to comment on the eviction, but it is understood the company wants to convert the family's home into a tea room.