WIGAN Metro's green drive is set to move up a gear.

Its pollution busting scheme to convert council vehicles to liquid petroleum gas has been hailed a great success.

Last year the council converted 10 vans and minibuses to the environmentally friendly fuel of the future as part of a three year experiment.

But now councillors have been told the scheme has worked so well that more vehicles will be changed over before the trial period is up.

Cllr Steve Parker, chair of the highways and works committee, said: "We are delighted with the success of the experiment so far.

"Not only are we making a positive contribution towards an environment free from pollution, but there has been a considerable saving on the annual cost of running the transport fleet.

"By using vehicles powered by LPG we believe we can make a difference to air quality and enhance the lives of residents."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.