Go North East has said it needs another 55 drivers in order to operate at full capacity, and has had to cancel some routes as a result.

It said 72,000 miles of bus journeys are not being covered - mostly on the major routes in Tyne and Wear.

Commercial director Martin Harris said they are hoping a recruitment drive will help solve the problem.

We have spent a great amount of time, effort and money recruiting new drivers and it is proving successful Martin Harris, Go North East

Go North East, which employs more than 1,700 bus drivers across the region, said the shortage was down to high levels of staff turnover in the past few months.

They say they have achieved 99.8% of their target mileage, and that the remaining miles are often cut short due to driver illness or bad weather.

Go North East is the major operator in the region, and says that most affected buses will be on major routes rather than rural or school runs.

Mr Harris said: "In the past year we have recruited and trained more than 300 staff and we are continuing that progress.

"In the coming weeks we have an open day at the Arena in Newcastle and week-long recruitment drives at the MetroCentre and Eldon Square, and Milburngate in Durham.

"We have spent a great amount of time, effort and money recruiting new drivers and it is proving successful."