BUS services were severely disrupted yesterday as drivers across the region continued with industrial action.

The 24-hour strike over pay and conditions took place at Stagecoach North East bus depots in Hartlepool, Stockton and Darlington, with drivers pledging to continue every Monday until their demands are met.

Yesterday, there were no Stagecoach services at all in Darlington.

In Stockton, 48 buses were operational, but only 11 in Hartlepool.

Bus drivers formed picket lines outside the depots amid a strong police presence in Stockton and Hartlepool.

Police confirmed that the protests had been peaceful and that there had been no arrests.

But drivers were furious that Stagecoach drafted in supervisors from Scotland and Wales to drive the buses during the strike.

At the picket line, bus driver Mick Riley, of Stockton, said; "We are very, very determined - we are not going to give up easily.

"It is absolutely disgraceful that they have brought in managers, and the adverts that the company has put in the local Press are very misleading.

"Our management is the same one that looks after Tyne and Wear. Drivers there get paid £7 per hour.

"We are not asking for that. We are asking for £6 per hour, but what Stagecoach is offering at the moment is just not good enough."

Drivers also claimed many drivers were willing to work overtime, but were prevented because Stagecoach will not pay them for the extra hours.

Allan Gray, passenger trade group secretary with the Transport and General Workers' Union, said: "The company has imposed punitive measures.

"They are stopping drivers taking lieu days that they are owed and have introduced overtime bans. The drivers are really upset."

He added: "It is not just a pay dispute, but it is the managers, attitude towards members as well."

On Wednesday, a ballot was held on whether to accept the company's latest offer of a pay rise to £5.50 in a two-year deal.

A massive 99 per cent of drivers rejected the new offer, which they claimed amounted to a rise of 16p-an-hour in the first year and 17p in the second year.

Mr Riley said: "When we worked out exactly what they were offering it amounted to less than what they offered in the first place.

"It is just not good enough."

A Stagecoach spokesman confirmed that an overtime ban had been introduced and that the company would be issuing a statement about the strike action within the next few days.