BUS company Stagecoach has announced plans for a fleet of 105 zero-emission buses to be introduced for commuters by 2020.

The firm will spend £34.6 million on the fleet, alongside associated infrastructure, with bosses hoping the remaining £21.5 million will be provided by government grants.

The scheme is backed by Transport for Greater Manchester and Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham.

Martin Griffiths, Chief Executive of Stagecoach Group, said: "This game-changing initiative is the biggest single investment in e-bus technology anywhere in Europe. It is a clear sign of our bold ambition to transform Greater Manchester's bus network.

"Our plans will put Greater Manchester at the forefront of the drive to improve local air quality, and help cement Britain's position as global leader in manufacturing low-emission vehicles. It is also part of our wider partnership proposals to maximise the potential of the bus network to drive the region's economy and better connect its communities.

"By working together, bus operators, the Mayor and the region's local authorities can deliver the quick and sustained improvements we all want to see in Greater Manchester's bus network, building on the major progress we've already made and avoiding unnecessary extra costs to local taxpayers."

Around 15-20 buses would be introduced each month beginning in Summer 2019, with full roll out achieved by early 2020. Infrastructure works would begin in the autumn of 2018 and be fully completed by spring 2019.

The new e-bus fleet for Greater Manchester would offer a 62% improvement in CO2 emissions over the latest low-carbon emission buses and supports the region's Air Quality Action Plan. Overall, the initiative expects to save 2.6 million litres of diesel a year and reduce annual CO2 by 6,800 tonnes.

Poor air quality is estimated to contribute to more than 40,000 premature deaths across the UK each year, with emissions from cars and vans estimated to cost £6bn annually to the NHS and society.