NEARLY £1.5 million extra Government money has been awarded to Somerset Council to help improve public transport.

The county will received £485,000 in each of the next three financial years, adding up to £1.456 million.

It is part of a total of £104 million awarded to councils across the country to manage development and delivery of capital schemes such as a planned transport hub on the former Taunton bus station site, in Tower Street.

Campaign for Better Transport chief executive Ben Plowden said: “With 70 per cent of trips under five miles, properly resourced local authorities are central to the task of improving sustainable travel choices.

“Better transport makes a huge difference to people's lives, unlocking opportunities and revitalising communities.”