One of the region's largest employers has been awarded Living Wage Foundation accreditation.

This means Go North East, who run a network of bus routes, will pay staff at least The Real Living Wage which is higher than the Government's minimum wage.

The move aims to provide 'fair pay' for all 1,800 employees and future recruits.

73 cleaners transitioned from external roles to direct employment, earning at least the Real Living Wage from day one.

At the Living Wage Week event, managing director Nigel Featham said: "Our commitment to the real living wage is a promise that we value every single person who works with us.

"Go North East's success is a result of our hard-working drivers, engineers, cleaners, and supervisors who keep our services running."

The North East’s Mayor, Kim McGuinness, said: "The Living Wage is crucial to the North East's mission to tackle low pay and create opportunity for workers and families.

"Go North East’s commitment to fair pay is exactly what we want in our region: decent work, respect, and investment in our people.

"This decision will make a real difference to hundreds of families.

"This is a milestone not only for Go North East but for the region as a whole."