METRO operator Nexus has hit back at criticism of services to this weekend's Sunderland International Air Show.

Brian Milnes, chairman of the Tees Valley branch of pressure group Transport 2000, has accused Nexus and rail operator Arriva of not using "joined up thinking" in catering for the thousands expected to attend what is Europe's biggest air show today and tomorrow.

Mr Milnes said it was ridiculous that Arriva trains were not stopping at nearby Seaburn station for the event.

Since the completion of the Newcastle to Sunderland Metro extension, which opened last year, Arriva services no longer stop at Seaburn, being replaced instead by Metro trains.

Mr Milnes said: "They are again not catering for special events. There appears to be no joined up thinking.

"They could get about an extra thousand people on the Arriva trains that will be passing through Seaburn after the show, many of which will be nearly empty."

Nexus said that more trains were running to and from Seaburn than ever before.

A spokesman said: "Up until March last year Arriva services were stopping at Seaburn but there were only two an hour.

"We are running seven trains an hour. We decided when the extension was completed that it was not financially viable to keep running the Arriva service because it makes it incredibly complex when you are running light and heavy rail together on the same line."

Nexus also said that the platform at Seaburn had been shortened to accommodate Metro trains thus making it difficult for Arriva services to stop there.

The spokesman said: "We are confident that we have the capacity to cope with the demand from people going to the air show."