Work got under way this week on the £250,000 revamp of Durham's much-criticised bus station.

Durham County Council is buying the 1970s-built station from bus operator Arriva and giving it its first major investment in years.

The station, in North Road, has been criticised for its shabby, dirty appearance and for giving visitors a poor first impression of the city.

The three-month makeover will include the passenger concourse and installation of toilets, seating and better lighting to make the facility more attractive for passengers.

Real time information will be available to passengers when the station reopens, giving them information on whether their bus is late or on time.

City MP Gerry Steinberg branded the curent state of the buss station an 'absolute disgrace'. He said: "It is about time something was done about it. We have had privatisation of the buses for more than ten years and the companies have been happy making millions, but they have done nothing to improve it.

"Once again it is a local authority that is prepared to invest in services. Public transport is a prioity for Labour.'' Durham County council deputy leader Don Ross said improving the bus station was central to the council's plans for improving bus travel in the city.

Both main bus operators, Arriva and Go North-East, welcomed the council's plans and said it would help make bus travel more attractive.

Arriva commercial director Liz Esnouf said the company was investing heavily in new buses and the council could access funding for the facelift that the company could not.

She said the standard of facility that customers expected had risen over the years.

The bus station is closed during the work and buses will stop at stands in North Road and Milburngate.