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A fleet of Metro replacement buses are being put on to help Newcastle United fans travel to an upcoming League Cup match.

The tie against Chelsea on 30 October coincides with a five-day line closure between Gateshead Stadium and South Shields and South Hylton, to replace a track junction at Pelaw.

Operator Nexus said it was drafting in an extra 20 buses for the game, on top of the 45 already planned to run each day between 28 October and 1 November.

Paul Welford, major projects director, said the draw for the home game was made "long after" the modernisation works were planned and could not be postponed.

"We are ensuring that plenty of replacement buses are being provided for customers during the major line closure. It's our top priority," he said.

The additional 20 buses will run between 17:30 and 19:30 BST on match day and will restart at 22:00 BST after the game ends.

Fans have been advised to allow plenty of extra time to get to the sold-out match at St James' Park.

Nexus said a "good option" would be to leave the bus at Gateshead Interchange and then travel on a Metro to Newcastle.

Replacement buses will leave from Gateshead Interchange.

The 900 service will travel to South Shields calling at most Metro stops on the route, while the 901 will run to South Hylton, calling at or near all stations.

Two express replacement bus services will also stop at selected stations during peak times.

The X900 will run from South Shields and will call at Jarrow, Heworth, Felling, Gateshead Stadium and Gateshead Interchange.

The X901 will start at Park Lane and will stop at Sunderland, St Peter’s, Stadium of Light, Seaburn, Heworth, Felling, Gateshead Stadium and Gateshead Interchange.

Metro services will be running as usual in Newcastle and North Tyneside.

Affected lines will reopen on 2 November.

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