Ripon councillors have issued a plea against cuts to rural bus services in the area.

It came after North Yorkshire County Council announced that existing contracts for some local services would be terminated next January 4. Tenders for the routes are being invited soon.

Ripon City Council was asked to comment particularly about the 144 Masham-Bedale-Northallerton route and the 159 Ripon-Masham-Leyburn-Richmond service.

A council spokesman said members welcomed the chance to comment and had told the transport authority they did not want to see any reduction in services,

Meanwhile, the county council has stepped in to pay for an early morning commuter link from Masham to Northallerton, after requests from Masham Parish Council.

The service leaves Masham at 7.30am, arriving in Northallerton at 8.10am. If the service is well used it will be included in the next review.