BUS OPERATORS in Bradford are invited to bid for a share of £5 million to fit buses with green technology to help reduce pollution.

The Clean Bus Technology Fund 2015 will allow local authorities to bid for up to £500,000 to 'retrofit' hundreds of buses that will reduce nitrogen oxide emissions.

The fund is open for bids until the end of October, with a particular focus on pollution hotspots in cites and urban areas. The winners will be announced towards the end of the year.

Transport Minister Andrew Jones said: "The £5 million Clean Bus Technology Fund will provide hundreds of cleaner buses to improve air quality in towns and cities across England and I urge local authorities to submit bids.

"The funding will also support the British industries helping deliver the technology.

Earlier this week the T&A revealed the worst spots in the city for air pollution, much of it caused by diesel vehicles including buses.

Researchers with the Born in Bradford survey have established a direct link between the worst polluted roads and low birth weight babies. Air pollution has also been linked with increased incidence of heart attacks and stroke.

Bus firm First has recently replaced ten per cent of its 188 diesel fleet in Bradford with low-emission vehicles.