THE first of 80 new bus shelters was installed in Darlington yesterday.

Darlington Borough Council has teamed up with Adshel, one of the UK's biggest street furniture companies, to install the shelters over the next two years.

Adshel provides the shelters freee, including maintenance, in return for advertising rights.

Some non-advertising shelters will be placed at quieter and more rural stops.

Councillor Nick Wallis, the council's cabinet member for highways and transport, said: "The news will be welcomed by bus users throughout the borough and will hopefully encourage more people to use public transport.

"We have enjoyed a good working relationship with Adshel so far."

Alan Leech, development manager for Adshel, said: "We are delighted to have retained the bus shelter contract with Darlington Borough Council, with whom we have had a successful working relationship for 30 years. We now look forward to expanding our bus shelter provision across the borough.