 The bus service is named after a rare bird of prey |
A new bus service named to commemorate the re-introduction of a rare bird to the north-east of England has made its first trip. The Red Kite service made a short journey carrying pupils from schools based along its Consett to Newcastle route on Friday afternoon.
The birds returned to Gateshead's Derwent Valley three years ago after a 130-year absence.
The bus route passes many of their nesting areas.
Red kites were exterminated in the region by 19th Century gamekeepers, but more than 100 have been released into Gateshead's Derwent Valley over the past three years.
In June 2006, project group Northern Kites confirmed that a breeding population had been established when two chicks hatched.
One-Minute World News 
News services
E-mail this to a friend 
Printable version 
