FREE bus pass schemes could be rolled out across the Tees Valley in a move to better Government standards.

All five local authorities - Darlington, Redcar and Cleveland, Middlesbrough, Stockton and Hartlepool - are to meet bus operators to discuss the possibility of extending a Government-led pensioners' free bus pass scheme, due to be introduced on April 1, 2006.

Currently, it is only due to cover journeys within the boundaries of each individual council.

All councils will have to offer pensioners free bus travel from 9.30am to 11pm on weekdays and all day on weekends and Bank Holidays.

But Stockton Borough Council, like its neighbouring authorities, is keen to improve on the national minimum scheme if practicable.

A meeting of Cabinet members on Thursday gave the green light for officers to open negotiations on a scheme that could potentially provide cross-boundary travel throughout the Tees Valley.

Councillor Bob Cook, Stockton Council's Cabinet Member for Development and Regeneration, said: "This is something that we would very much like to achieve but it remains to be seen whether it is possible."

"We would also like to extend the scheme to all times of the day but it will hinge both on our discussions with the bus companies and on the views of each of the councils."