PROTESTS about a bus company's proposals to axe services are to be made in Parliament.

And, as Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland Labour MP Ashok Kumar unveiled plans to raise transport firm Arriva's intentions in the House of Commons, a leading councillor said that cuts announced so far may only be the beginning.

Arriva said it was cutting weekend and evening services on routes serving Loftus, Brotton, Skelton and Guisbrough, as well as early evening services between Lingdale and Guisborough.

But Councillor David Walsh, leader of Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, said: "As a bus user myself, I have heard on the grapevine from drivers that these cuts may be followed by others later in the year and may impact on towns like Saltburn, Marske and Redcar.

"I have to say that we have a local bus monopoly in this borough, with 99 per cent of services being run by one company. It is unhealthy and can lead to the situation we are now in.

"I hope a House of Commons debate can lead to Arriva thinking again."

The bus company says the cuts are being made to loss-making services that are operated by staff who are threatened with assault, and have their buses vandalised.

Mr Kumar said: "I will be using the facility granted by a series of adjournment debates before the Commons begins its Christmas recess to highlight the threat that these cuts will have on many of my constituents.

"Arriva say that one of the reasons for the cuts is that there have been attacks on staff. It goes without saying that I deplore such attacks, but cutting services in response seems to be an admission that thuggery wins.

"There is a police role here, and that role should be exercised. In addition, I am concerned that axing evening services could well mean that some people will be tempted to go out for a drink and use their car.''

Arriva says a number of services are being withdrawn because cash from fares does not cover drivers' wages