From September, students looking to study further education will be able to travel from home to school free of charge after Northumberland
County Council's executive voted in favour of the changes.

But a 75 per cent rule will also be introduced to consider transport costs for those students looking to enrol on courses outside their catchment area or the county.

The county council's executive had initially been recommended to agree to proposals to reduce the current £360 charge to £200.

Speaking during a meeting of the county council's executive, Coun Lesley Rickerby, said: "I've sat here for many, many years trying to get this charge removed completely so that youngsters can further their education without this burden over their heads.

"And it's far better to have young people travelling on public transport rather than having increased numbers of cars on the roads."

Coun Andrew Tebbutt added: "I've been very persuaded by the considerable amount of pressure and distress that my colleagues have experienced over a number of years and months about the problems of charges for this transport.

"This was always top of the Liberal Democrats agenda and I think we should be saying very loudly that this council does listen to the concerns of people, particularly in rural areas."

In response to the outcome of the vote, county council leader Coun Jeff Reid stressed the importance of all youngsters having fair access to further education in the county.

"We believe that providing home to school transport free of charge for all eligible post-16 students will enhance further education opportunities for all pupils in the county," he said.

"We know Northumberland residents felt that scrapping post-16 transport charges was a priority and we are pleased to have been able to respond to their concerns and do just that."