A SMALL York bus operator has attacked First York, claiming the company is carrying out a dirty tricks campaign against its rival.

But First York has denied there is any such deliberate drive against the fledgling Busforce firm.

Robert Bileckyj, owner of Busforce, spoke out after discovering First York stickers covering his adverts on a bus shelter near York University library.

He said: "I'm sure this has happened at other bus stops as well. This is a deliberate tactic to cover up the cheaper prices of my bus trips. This is a dirty tricks campaign.

"I noticed the cover-up this morning when I was doing my first bus run and I'm disgusted. I'm running a small company and I need to advertise my services and prices."

Busforce was set up more than two years ago after Mr Bileckyj left First York. His company runs four buses, which Mr Bileckyj also drives. The route affected is the number 65 from Badger Hill to South Bank via York University.

He added: "There is plenty of room for all the information and it is very unfair that First York should cover up my advertising."

Mr Bileckyj believes the campaign has started because his fare prices are cheaper - he is charging £1.50 for an all-day off-peak pass, whereas First York charges £1.70.

Brian Asquith, managing director of First York, said he knew nothing about trying to cover up advertisements for Busforce. But when a member of his staff checked, he agreed a sticker was obscuring the Busforce advert.

"We have removed our sticker now and rectified the problem," Mr Asquith told the Evening Press.

"I knew nothing about the sticker problem and we are certainly not carrying out a dirty tricks campaign.

"We have not and will not do anything to affect the service Busforce provides."