A regional daily’s former home is set to become a “super bus depot” capable of housing up to 90 electric vehicles.

First Bus has announced plans to transform The News Centre, in Portsmouth, after buying the site following its closure as a print plant last year.

The News Centre, pictured, was first used by Portsmouth daily The News after it moved to the site from Stanhope Road in 1969.

It remained the newspaper’s base until 2013 when advertising and editorial staff moved out.

The centre was sold to dmg media in 2020 and printing of The News moved to Thurrock, in Essex, last summer following the decision to close the site.

Simon Goff, First’s managing director, told The News: “We are thrilled to have secured this new site and to share the good news with our customers and our colleagues.

“This will have a massive impact for the better on the daily working lives of our hard-working staff and we cannot wait to share the improvements with our customers as well.

“This represents a significant investment and future commitment to providing zero-emission bus services in Portsmouth and the surrounding areas.”

Councillor Lynne Stagg, Portsmouth City Council’s cabinet member for transport, said: “We are delighted to hear the news that First will be creating their ‘super bus depot’ here in Portsmouth.

“This demonstrates a huge commitment to public transport in our city and will provide a home for the electric bus fleet, helping us to provide clean, zero emission public transport across Portsmouth.”