WORK to replace Nelson's bus and railway stations with a new state-of-the-art interchange could start as soon as October.

Lancashire County Council is preparing to tender for the 12-month contract for the building work, which will cost in the region of £4.5million.

Plans for the new station have been in the pipeline for two years.

But fears that it would overshadow one of the town's last remaining listed buildings and cause chaos for both drivers and pedestrians meant that planning permission was refused by the Nelson Committee last year.

But then amended plans, which also included an archaeological survey, meant permission was granted last month.

The interchange will be built on land bounded by Broadway, Hibson Road, Railway Street, the railway line and land adjoining Railway Street to the south of the railway line.

It will include a covered concourse leading to nine bus bays, a direct link to the rail station with new lift and staircase, a rail station revamp, electronic passenger information, new retail facilities, taxi and car drop-off points and new CCTV.

County Coun Tim Ormerod, who represents Pendle Central, said: "This is an excellent planning application which will enhance Nelson and be a credit to Pendle.

"It will be a major building block in encouraging people to use public transport, which is a long-term aim of the government, the county council and the borough council."

A spokesman for LCC said: "The county council is working in partnership with Pendle Council, Network Rail and Northern Trains to build a new bus/rail interchange in Nelson.

"A site beside the existing railway station has been acquired."