AN East Lancashire bus operator has been nominated for a prestigious industry award.

Blazefield East Lancashire, which runs Lancashire United and Burnley and Pendle Travel, is on a shortlist of five up for the Bus Industry Awards' Operator of the Year.

The award is given to companies which lead the way in innovation for the benefit of passengers.

Firm spokesman Graham Mitchell said: "We are absolutely delighted with the nomination. We see it as a double success because although Blazefield owns both companies, they're run very much as distinct operations with their own management.

"The companies have only been in existence two-and-a-half years but we have developed a lot of expertise and brought in a whole host of new vehicles and initiatives which have improved the experiences of passengers. We work very closely with local councils and are very proud of our partnership approach."

Lancashire United have also been nominated along with Lancashire County Council for the best marketing/joint project award for its promotion of the X1/X2 route from Clitheroe to Manchester.

Mr Mitchell said: "We've done a lot of work on rebranding the route and passenger numbers have increased by around 30 per cent."

Lancashire County Council and Burnley Borough Council are also in the running for the Infastructure Award for the work on Burnley Bus Station.

The current holder of the Operator of the Year title is Harrogate and District Travel -- another Blazefield company.