COUNCILS in the North-East and North Yorkshire are being invited to bid for a share of £168m to fix potholes.

The Government has set up a Pothole Fund in the hope of repairing more than three million across the country.

Councils which win cash will have to sign a Pothole Pledge, specifying how many they will have fixed by next March.

Conservative Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin said: “Potholes are a menace for all road users which is why this extra funding is provided in addition to the £10bn already committed for councils for road maintenance.

“I want councils to rise to the challenge and to reward councils who come up with new and better ways of making repairs quickly and effectively.”

The fund was first announced by Chancellor George Osborne in his Budget in March.

Councils have until 4pm on Thursday, May 22, to bid for funding.

Sunderland City Council leader Paul Watson said his authority was studying the Government guidance and expected to make a funding bid.

Last week, the AA said Government funding to fix potholes was a drop in the ocean.