A Northallerton woman may face the sack because of an unreliable train service, which has caused her to be late for work on a regular basis.

Miss Sheila Walker, aged 39, from Newlands in Northallerton, catches the 7.49 Northern Spirit service from the town to Thornaby in order to get to Queenspark medical centre, where she works as a doctor's receptionist, by 8.30.

She says that since September 1999 this service has been late or cancelled on so many occasions that it has caused her to be late for work between 30 and 40 times.

Miss Walker said: "I have to be at work on time because I can't receive any cover. We all have our own individual posts to fulfil so there isn't anyone to cover me when I'm late.

"I have to be there at 8.30 because that's when patients start phoning. If the trains continue like this I'm going to be asked to find alternative employment.

"I don't want to do that and I don't see why I should, just because of other people's incompetence.

"Even though I have written to Northern Spirit and complained at least six times over the last 13 months, nothing seems to improve and you don't even get an answer. They're not bothered, I've had no replies at all, not even an acknowledgement.''

After the service was cancelled on one occasion she had to get a taxi to work, and wrote a letter of complaint to Northern Spirit, with the receipt from the taxi, but never received a reply or any reimbursement.

She says the only response she has ever had came after she filled in a survey for the company, when they were being handed out on the platform, when a £5 voucher was sent for completing the questionnaire.

Miss Walker is now so sick of the poor service she receives, which costs her £23 a week, that this time she has written to the rail regulator, as well as MP William Hague and Rail magazine, an industry publication.

"I don't know what else I can do if I don't get a reply this time. It's very stressful to know you're relying on this train every morning and if it's late, when you get to work, you will be in the manager's office again.''

Mr Howard Keal, a spokesman for Northern Spirit, said that there had been four cancellations on this particular service up to October this year.

He also explained that trains to Northallerton had to go through Leeds station where a £165m improvement scheme was under way.

The improvement work meant just three out of seven platforms at Leeds were being used, which was having a knock-on effect on some services.

"When the scheme is completed it will result in improved reliability on trains right across our region,'' said Mr Keal.

"We are aware of the certain problems and are talking with Railtrack about measures to improve the situation.

"We understand the difficulty Miss Walker has experienced and have written to her on two occasions when we provided compensation. Our customer services department will be happy to write to her employer.'