East Durham College has confirmed it will be continuing its free bus service in the new academic year, starting in September.

The college, with campuses in Peterlee and Durham City, offers the bus service to any of its students free of charge.

The service has 40 pick-up points on routes from places like Stanley, Consett, Bishop Auckland, Consett, Newton Aycliffe, Spennymoor, Middlesbrough, Sunderland and Hartlepool.

Principal Suzanne Duncan said: “One of the biggest barriers to young people accessing a quality college education is the cost of transportation.

“This, combined with the rural nature of large parts of our catchment area, and the student transport subsidy changes by the government - along with the scrapping of EMA -are affecting a student’s opportunity to access education.

“Also as a college that offers a number of very specialised curriculum areas, such as the land-based and animal care courses at Houghall, plus our highly-regarded sport academies and sport scholarships, we have students from across the region wanting to attend our college.

“In such a competitive jobs market, education is more important than ever to help young people into the workplace, as well as on to university.”

Jessica Rhodes, 16, from Trimdon, who is studying four AS Levels at the College’s new sixth form ED6, said: “The college bus is fantastic.

“It’s great to know that it will run again next year, it’s a big help.

“I feel really safe knowing that I can get to and from college safely on it.”

For more details call Student Services on 0191-518-8222 or visit eastdurham.ac.uk.