CONTRACTORS are being sought for a multi-million pound North-East transport upgrade.

Nexus, which owns and manages the Tyne and Wear Metro, aims to revitalise Central Station, in Newcastle.

Bosses say work is expected to start next autumn as part of its £389m Metro: all change refurbishment programme.

They want companies to express interest in becoming the project’s main contractor.

Raymond Johnstone, Nexus director of rail and infrastructure, said: “This refurbishment is a landmark project in the modernisation of Metro, which we hope will attract interest from a large number of potential suppliers.”

The station, which opened in 1981, is used by more than five million passengers a year.