Nearly 450 buses in England will be fitted with green technology to cut harmful emissions.

A total of 18 local authorities will share £7 million under the Department for Transport’s Clean Bus Technology Fund.

They had to show evidence the technology would cut emissions by at least 50% to win the funding.

They will retrofit 439 buses with exhaust gas treatment systems called selective catalytic reduction (SCR) to reduce nitrogen dioxide emissions in pollution hotspots.

As part of the award, councils must continue to monitor the schemes and provide evidence of their effectiveness.

Transport Minister Andrew Jones said: “Greener buses mean cleaner town and city centres and a healthier environment for everyone. The upgraded buses that will soon hit the roads in England continue our commitment to better air quality by investing in greener transport. By targeting pollution hotspots and backing the low-emission technology of the future, we are making the right long term decisions to improve people’s lives.”

Leeds City Council, Transport for London, Lancashire County Council and Bristol City Council are among the winners.

The new fund adds to the £20 million invested by the government in retrofit schemes since 2011, which has ensures more than 2,000 buses have already been upgraded across England.