A TRANSPORT firm operating services across the North-East is creating 80 apprenticeships.

Arriva, which has a base in Sunderland, says it wants new workers to maintain its growth.

Bosses say apprenticeships include mechanical and electrical engineering as well as customer service and management.

The move comes during National Apprenticeship Week, which celebrates the impact apprentices have on businesses and the economy.

Charlie Reeve, Arriva's head of early career programmes, said: “The company has a long and proud history of running successful apprenticeship schemes.”

Arriva employs about 54,500 people across 14 European countries.