DRIVERS at Blackburn Transport are celebrating after being awarded a National Vocational Qualification in Road Passenger Transport Operation.

The group carried out their training Accrington and Rossendale College, which included health and safety, customer care, improved driving techniques, company products and procedures.

The qualifications were awarded after drivers were assessed as they travelled around on buses.

Managing director Michael Morton said: "Expectations of bus travel have moved on and people quite rightly expect a well qualified professional driver in a modern bus.

"Blackburn Transport is proud of its driving force and we believe that they are the best around. The award of the first batch of NVQs legitimises our belief. They have worked very hard indeed."