A RAIL operator has apologised to passengers after a train had to be cancelled because of a power fault.

The morning rush hour Saltburn to Bishop Auckland service ran into problems and had to be taken out of service at Darlington yesterday.

The train was due to leave Darlington Bank Top at 8.39am, but arrived at the station seven minutes later and was taken out of service.

Passengers complained because they believed alternative transport should have been laid on by Northern Spirit.

However, the firm argued any bus laid on would have arrived later than the next train.

Stephen Lambert, a lecturer at Bishop Auckland College, had travelled from Newcastle and was hoping to take the connecting service at Darlington.

He said there was no explanation about why the train had been cancelled, adding: "It's totally unacceptable."

Howard Keal, the firm's spokesman, said: "We apologise to anyone inconvenienced as a result of the problem.

"We try to provide alternative transport, but it was impractical on this occasion, as any bus would have arrived well after the next train."