The government is to invest £50 million in repairing almost a million potholes over the next 12 months.

Funds are to be allocated between more than 100 councils to improve the state of road surfaces and fix potentially dangerous potholes throughout the country.

Patrick McLoughlin, the transport secretary, commented: "This is just one part of our unprecedented investment in local road maintenance over the next five years. 

"We are giving a record £6 billion to local authorities in England that will improve journeys across the regions."

The funding is being made available as part of the £250 million Pothole Action Fund, which aims to repair more than four million potholes by 2020-21.

Mr McLoughlin said this is necessary because well-maintained roads are very important to people all over the country, before adding that nearly every journey starts and ends on a local road.