Bradford rail commuters are suffering cancellations to services because so many drivers have quit the city's main train operator, union leaders claim.

Train drivers union ASLEF warned drivers are deserting Arriva Trains Northern because they are paying up to £11,000 less than rival firms.

And Bradford is suffering among the worst level of cancellations on the network.

Arriva - which runs virtually all services to Bradford - recently took over the North East franchise from Northern Spirit.

But ASLEF North East district secretary Alan Dodd said the firm's drivers receive around £24,000 per year, whereas GNER pay up to £35,000.

"GNER's business is growing and they are taking on four or five new drivers every month - a fair proportion of which they are attracting from Arriva," he said.

"It is a serious situation and the public are suffering. Services in the Leeds and Bradford areas seem to have been hit worst."

GNER operate long distance services on the East Coast mainline to London, whereas Arriva run more local services.

But Mr Dodd said: "I don't believe that should make a difference. You get paid for the responsibility of being a train driver, not for how far the train goes."