A transport scheme, providing Sunderland football fans in County Durham with easy access to home games, kicks-off on Saturday.

The free bus service to the Stadium of Light will operate on a rota basis from the five district sports centres in the Durham City Council area.

Match tickets, including free transport, will be on sale from the centres at Coxhoe, Meadowfield, Pity Me (Abbey), Sherburn and Ushaw Moor (Deerness).

Details of forthcoming fixtures and transport times are available to fans from the centres.

The scheme is a joint operation between Sunderland AFC, the city council's leisure services department and the Go Ahead bus company.

Club community director Bob Oates said: "We're delighted to work closely with the city council's leisure services and Go Ahead to provide the opportunity to attend Sunderland home matches.

"We've always thought of Durham as the heartland of our support and this is a unique scheme to recognise that."

Councillor Grenville Holland, portfolio holder for leisure on the council, said: "Within Durham City we have an on-going programme of activities to encourage young people to participate in sport and physical activity.

"We see this scheme as a great addition to that programme and also believe it will give families the opportunity to attend leisure activities together."

The first free transport run will be from Sherburn District Sports Centre, on Saturday, when Sunderland face Burnley in a match at the Stadium of Light.

Further information on the scheme is available from city council leisure development officer, Jill Wood, by calling 0191-301 8226.