THE council behind a controversial shake-up of free travel for sixth form and college students has announced it has struck deals with bus operators.

Durham County Council earlier this year scrapped a scheme giving some students free travel in favour of one that would extend discounts to all students.

Free travel is available to students who have to travel two or more miles to their course.

The cost of the current scheme, which is due to end in September, is expected to be more than £2.9m, almost £1m above the national average.

But from September, students living more than two miles from their course will get up to £130 a term towards travel - depending on the distance they live from their college.

Durham County Council says some students have free transport while most had no help.

But the new system has been criticised by schools and pupils in rural areas fear it could price them out of studying beyond GCSEs or A-Levels.

The council said the new policy has been "enhanced'' by deals with transport operators "to ensure students get even more miles for their money''. Go North-East will offer a Get Around seven day saver ticket, which will mean students aged 16 to 19 will get unlimited travel on the company's buses in the region, including evenings and weekends.

Weardale Private Hire, a taxi operator in the Dales, is also to offer post-16 students a large reduction off weekday taxi journeys between 8am to 6pm.

Bus firm Arriva will offer students a pass they can use on services throughout Arriva' area, including evenings and weekends, for a fixed price each term.

Councillor Claire Vasey, council cabinet member for children and young people's services, said: "The deals we are agreeing will enhance the scheme further and help young people get even more miles for their money.''