PLANS for a new Burnley Central station were today hailed as great news for the town.

Burnley MP Kitty Ussher said the scheme was essential for the future prosperity and changing people's perceptions of the borough.

Burnley Central has long been maligned and earlier this year the town's stations were shamed in a Government committee's report as an example of the deplorable state of the nation's train stations.

The man responsible for transport in Lancashire, County Councillor Tony Martin, even called the approaches to Burnley Central like arriving at Beirut.

Those behind the scheme hope the vision will become a reality unlike previous proposals.

In January 2005 plans for a futuristic revamp of Burnley Central hit the buffers after the project spiralled from £500,000 to £1million.

Mrs Ussher said it was vital the stations were improved to give the right first impression of Burnley.

She said: "Burnley Central and Manchester Road present the first glimpse for visitors arriving in the town and their current condition is unacceptable.

In my view they need to be a priority because a town that does not look after it gateways can give the impression it does not bother.

"It would show we are upbeat and welcoming and we are proud of what we have got to offer "I welcome the priority that the council and the partnership are putting on the station and I think it is essential."