The owners of a station cafe say they have been forced to close after being offered an "unacceptable" contract by Network Rail.

Husband and wife team Stephen and Ruth Greener, of Clayton, have run Ruth's Whistlestop Cafe at Shipley station for four years.

But now they claim they are being forced out of business

by the rail company which

will leave them £35,000 out of pocket.

Mr Greener said he and his wife had agreed a three-year tenancy with Arriva trains when they took over the business in 2000.

However when they came to renew the licence last year Network Rail objected.

Mr Greener was told that he could not renew his tenancy agreement with Arriva and had to enter a new contract with Network Rail instead.

He claims the new contract would have forced him to opt out of a clause which protects traders from landlords cutting short tenancy agreements and he had therefore refused to sign.

"Our case is not unique," Mr Greener said. "This is killing off small businesses left, right and centre. Landlords can be greedy and force businesses out to replace them with businesses that can pay more."

"It's too late for us but if we can make people aware of what is happening, something might come out of it."

Pete Myers, the head of stations for Arriva said: "Arriva Trains Northern and Network Rail worked together to offer a three year tenancy agreement to the current occupant of the cafe at Shipley station.

"This contract has not been accepted, and the gentleman has indicated to both Arriva and Network Rail that he intends to leave the premises."

Network Rail declined to comment on the specifics of the tenancy agreement offered.

Mr and Mrs Greener will cease trading on Friday. They have raised the issue with Councillor Stanley King (Con, Heaton), a member of the West Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive, and MP Marsha Singh (Lab, Bradford West).

Coun King said he had contacted the director general of the WYPTE to see if it can intervene.

"This will leave a gap in Shipley station's services. They provided a good quality individual kind of service which most people appreciate," he added.