PEOPLE are being urged to consider a career as a bus driver.

Operator Go North-East is launching a recruitment drive with Jobcentre Plus by holding a jobs fair at Gateshead Stadium on Sunday.

The company is looking for drivers for routes in County Durham, Gateshead, South Shields, Sunderland, Washington, Winlaton and North Shields.

Between 10am and 2pm, would-be drivers will have the chance to try their skills behind the wheel of a 40ft bus.

Paul Cuskin, Jobcentre Plus regional sales manager, said: "This weekend's event is about letting people see, firstly, how easy it is to drive a bus and, secondly, to find out how rewarding a career in bus driving can be.

"If people come along this weekend, they will be able to talk to the recruitment team at Go North East and the Jobcentre Plus team and, once they have tried driving a bus, they will be able to fill application forms in.