A BUS company is hoping to improve recruitment by letting jobseekers get behind the wheel of one of its vehicles.

Go North East is holding a series of roadshows across the region, where potential applicants can drive one of its "bendy" buses around an obstacle course marked out by traffic cones.

Keith Robertson, Go North East recruitment co-ordinator, said: "We decided that we needed a different approach to the recruitment days.

"Allowing people to test-drive buses means perhaps they aren't quite so daunted by the prospect of handling a big vehicle.

"The obstacle course provides a realistic impression of bus driving as opposed to just driving round an empty car park."

Suitable candidates are signed up and fast-tracked into the driving seat in a matter of weeks.

The next Go North East recruitment event takes place at the Stadium of Light, in Sunderland, on Sunday, from 9am to noon. For details, contact 0191-477 8888.