A BUS company has promised that changes to its service will not disrupt people's journeys in the area.

Arriva has been criticised for the changes by residents in West Cornforth, who say that the new timetable makes travelling to and from Spennymoor difficult.

Three services have been altered, with residents objecting most strongly to the removal of the number 13 and 13a between Durham and Darlington.

"We have had so many people complaining," said Vicky Pearcy of Cornforth House, West Cornforth. "People live here who work in Spennymoor, but they can't get to and from work on a night."

Another West Cornforth resident said: "I will now have a 15-minute walk down to the front street of Coxhoe, and the people of Cornforth will have an extra 20 minutes on top of that to get a bus early enough to get to work on time.

"We are concerned particularly about the number 13, as there are at least 15 to 20 people use this bus every morning."

But a spokesman for Arriva said: "The 13 service is being withdrawn because duplicate services exist. Customers wishing to travel between Spennymoor and West Cornforth can use the 69A service - which is actually more direct and takes less time."

For information on the changes call 08701 201088.