I WAS surprised to see the Conservative MP for Outer York and ward councillor for Strensall celebrating the return of late-night buses to Stockton-on-the-Forest from May as a Conservative success.

This is merely the reintroduction of the summer timetable, which is something that we all knew was going to happen anyway.

What I and the Liberal Democrats have been campaigning for for six months, magnificently supported by the villagers, is the maintenance of these services throughout the winter.

Our own large petition to Transdev and City of York Council (which was delivered long before the Conservative one), our feature on the BBC Sunday Politics Show and our many village newsletters have finally persuaded City of York Council to investigate ways in which to support these services, not for the benefit of tourists, but for the locals.

Liberal Democrats will not claim success until we have these late night services reinstated all year round.

However, the final irony for the Conservatives claiming credit is that Transdev have clearly stated that the reason for the winter services being cut in the first place was due to cuts by Conservative-controlled North Yorkshire County Council.

Tony Fisher, Strensall & Stockton Liberal Democrats, West End, Strensall, York.