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Engineering giant Siemens is creating up to 300 new jobs on South Tyneside in a deal to build train carriages.

The company is part of a consortium which will build and maintain 1,200 vehicles and two depots for the massive Thameslink project.

The jobs will be created at the company's facility in Hebburn, which already employs about 100 people.

Earlier this year Hitachi confirmed a factory in County Durham would build rolling stock for high-speed trains.

Announcing Siemens as the preferred bidder for the project, Transport Minister Theresa Villiers said: "This announcement is further proof of the government's commitment to investing in Britain's future."

Steve Scrimshaw, managing director for Siemens' rolling stock business in the UK, said: "We are delighted to have been selected as preferred bidder.

"The new and highly-innovative Desiro City Train, designed specifically for the UK commuter market, will deliver significantly better reliability and energy efficiency, as well as vastly improved passenger access and comfort."