A STATE-of-the-art combined bus and rail interchange has put East Lancashire into the national spotlight.

The Clitheroe Bus and Rail Interchange, which aims to fulfil government moves towards integrated public transport, has scooped two awards at the bus industry 'Oscars.'

The Interchange was set up to improve the confidence of rural passengers in public transport, and features a new bus station next to the railway station and better co-ordination between timetables.

There is also a passenger information system manned through the day and evening and CCTV security cameras for passenger safety.

The East Lancs scheme won first prize in the Queensbury Shelters Infrastructure category of the Bus Industry Awards for making public transport more efficient and attractive within the rural surroundings of the town.

It was also runner-up in the Bus in the Countryside category for the work of the county council in marketing the facility.

The judges described the Interchange as "extremely relevant to the notion of integrated transport."

Richard Toon, chairman of Lancashire County Council's highways committee, said: "It is good that the national spotlight is now on the Ribble Valley. The Interchange is getting the prestige it deserves within the industry and will, hopefully, provide inspiration for other areas of the country."

He thanked those involved in bringing the scheme to fruition and making it a success. He added: "The work we have done over the past couple of years for rural transport is now bringing real benefits in areas that have been neglected by the previous government."

The Interchange opened in March and transport minister Keith Hill, gave it the official seal of approval when he visited in September.

It was funded by the department of the environment, transport and the regions, with extra contributions from Lancashire County Council, Ribble Valley Council, First North Western, Railtrack, the Countryside Agency and the East Lancashire Partnership.