TRADERS in Darlington are calling on drivers at bus company Arriva to end their strike action, amid fears that sales worth thousands of pounds are being lost.

A one-day strike by bus drivers in Darlington on Friday is said to have led to a ten per cent drop in the number of customers at the Cornmill shopping centre and the Market Hall.

The drivers are angry about a three per cent pay increase offered by bosses at Arriva, and are threatening a further strike this Friday.

Traditionally, in Darlington, Friday is the busiest day for food shopping, with many shoppers using buses to get into town.

Charles Smith, who runs The Diner caf in the Market Hall, said: "We lost about £150 on Friday. The strike is not doing anybody any good - everybody is a loser.

"The drivers lose their wages, Arriva don't get their revenue and we will not get any customers. Both parties need to continue to talk and come to a speedy conclusion."

Robin Blair, vice-chairman of Darlington's Market Retail Stallholders Association, said: "There will definitely be thousands of pounds lost if this continues.

"If people cannot get into town they might decide to go elsewhere such as to Tesco which is putting on free buses to its new stores at Catterick and Eaglescliffe."

Darlington's Chamber of Trade president Albion Small, said: "There was a survey done two years ago that showed 50 per cent of the population of Darlington use buses to get into town. That is a considerable amount of people and money.

"The retailers I have spoken to say that the three per cent offered to the bus drivers is very acceptable and they are going about things the wrong way."

The Transport and General Workers Union, which represents the bus drivers, claims it has "100 per cent support" for the strike action, which has affected services in County Durham, Teeside, North Yorkshire and Darlington.

Sarnol