BUS services from Darlington to two North-East cities are to be withdrawn.

Stagecoach North-East has been forced to cancel its daily x90 service from Darlington to Newcastle and the MetroCentre.

The bus has service stops at Harrowgate Hill, Newton Aycliffe, Ferryhill, West Cornforth and Coxhoe.

Its new service from Darlington to York is also being cut because it is no longer financially viable. Both bus routes will cease to operate after Saturday, September 21.

Richard Cranmer, divisional traffic manager at Darlington, said: "The x90 service is to be withdrawn because it is not making any money.

"We are actually losing money on it. We have tried to do a number of things to make it work but that has not happened.

"It is not a decision that we enjoy making but we are losing so much money. The York route is relatively new but it has not been as successful as we had hoped.

"The Saturday service is okay, but that is it."

Harry Bower, of Ferryhill, is angry that the bus services are going to be axed.

He said: "I do feel that there is the demand for a regular daily service between Darlington and Newcastle and the MetroCentre. I am horrified at the prospect of them withdrawing this service."