A NORTH-EAST bus company has invested £14m in 100 new vehicles to celebrate its 100th anniversary - with a little help from soul singing legends The Drifters.

Go North East has bought the buses for its most popular services, including its Drifter route, which runs from Seaham, County Durham, to Sunderland.

The firm, founded 100 years ago, has a fleet of 670 buses and more than 2,000 staff.

It operates services in Darlington, Middlesbrough, Stockton and Durham City, as well as Wearside, Tyneside and Northumberland.

Kevin Carr, Go North East managing director, said: “When we heard The Drifters were in town we thought there couldn't be a better way to launch our new buses than a sing along.

“We know our customers want modern vehicles and appreciate having buses that are branded by route so they can be easily identified.”