'Catch the Kite!'

Red Kite (photo: George Ewart).

Three years after they were successfully reintroduced to the North East by the Northern Kites Project, the region's Red Kite population is set to soar with the arrival of a few new faces.

Images of the kites are to appear on the side of new buses running from the city centre through the heart of 'kite country' in the Derwent Valley. The service will be named The Red Kite in tribute to the spectacular birds, which have rapidly become an iconic symbol for the area.

The service, which runs between Newcastle and Consett, was launched by pupils from Rowlands Gill Community Primary and Hookergate Comprehensive, who enjoyed a trip along the route courtesy of bus operator Go North East and the Northern Kites Project. They were joined on route by representatives from the RSPB, Natural England, Northumbrian Water, One NorthEast and Gateshead Council.

The Northern Kites Project is a world first in successfully reintroducing Red Kites so close to a major urban area. The project is managed by the RSPB and Natural England, working in partnership with Gateshead Council, Northumbrian Water, The National Trust and the Forestry Commission, with additional funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund and SITA Trust.

Red Kites were reintroduced to the North East in 2004 by the Northern Kites Project after a gap of over 170 years. Such has been the success of the initiative that over 90 Red Kites have since been released in Gateshead's Derwent Valley. The first kite chicks in the North East for almost 200 years were hatched last summer.

Go North East's new Red Kite buses run past many of the best places to see kites, between Newcastle, MetroCentre, Rowlands Gill and Consett. All vehicles are fitted with the latest emissions technology to ensure the highest environmental standards possible.

Go North East is also planning to provide kite awareness training for bus drivers on the route so they can provide information to passengers.

Keith Bowey at the Northern Kites project said: "This is great news for the kites and for the project. We're delighted Go North East has chosen to name its bus service after them. They're wonderful birds and it's a great feather in the region's cap that we've now got a growing, breeding population on our doorstep.

"One of the aims of the project is to encourage people to see the kites in their natural habitat and discover the other wildlife of the area. The Red Kite bus service will give more people the perfect opportunity to do this. This project shows that business and bio-diversity can go hand-in-hand."

Martin Harris, commercial director at Go North East said: "The route runs right along the kites' main habitats and it's only fitting that we name it after the birds.

"When the Northern Kites Project approached us to see if we would name a service after the birds, we were already thinking about the idea, so it's an ideal arrangement. We're delighted to be working with them and hope this is just the start of an exciting relationship."

Cllr. Ian Mearns, Deputy Leader of Gateshead Council said: "The Northern Kites Project has been a terrifically successful - the fastest reintroduction anywhere in the UK. They're beautiful birds and a real icon and attraction for the area and this will add to their fame."

For more information about the Red Kite bus service, please visit www.simplygo.com or contact customer services on 0845 60 60 260.