The £2.5m will be shared among six schemes in the region in an attempt to get people to use public transport.

These include a £721,464 scheme in Stockton, linking the town centre to Ingleby Barwick using the new South Stockton Link Road.

Elsewhere, £518,515 will go to a scheme on Wearside while £565,000 will fund a Kingston Park to Newcastle city route.

Government 'commitment'

A total of £20m will be shared among 43 schemes across England.

"Bus users will benefit from faster and more reliable services with better waiting facilities and improved journey experiences," Transport Minister Karen Buck said, announcing the funding.

"This new funding demonstrates the government's commitment to buses."

The money has been awarded under the Kickstart Bus Challenge competition, which allows local authorities, in partnership with operators, to bid for funding to improve services.

It includes £294,776 for Northumberland's +518 scheme, which delivers services between Morpeth and Newcastle with an additional service to Widdrington Station.

The Gateshead Orbital scheme will benefit from £336,256 to double the frequency of buses on the route.

On Teesside, £131,556 will help improve services between Redcar and Guisborough.