TRANSPORT bosses who turned to the gentle strains of classical music in a bid to deter groups of yobs loitering around Burnley's bus station say the scheme has been a success.

Bus station chiefs introduced piped music by composers like Mozart and Bach to help them handle the problem of anti-social elements using the facility as an evening hang-out.

The plan has been based on similar schemes in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear and Charlotte, North Carolina in the USA, but is believed to be the first in the North West.

Jamie Lodge, commission manager for Banner Facilities, which looks after maintenance at the bus station, said: "It certainly seems to have had a positive effect, although you can never eradicate the problem of groups hanging around.

"The audio system plays passenger information as well as the music and the feedback has been very good. People seem to like it."

The introduction of music is part of a £130,000 package aimed at further improving the multi-award winning bus station which opened in 2002.

The improvements were given the green light at a county council meeting last year And are based on recommendations and requests from users of the bus station as well as feedback from a council group's inspection of the facility.

Following the introduction of the classical music the rest of the bus station improvements will be brought in later this year. The work will include:

A new entrance lobby to minimise wind passing through the bus station. Estimated cost £100,000.

An audio system which will combine messages to the public - such as advising passengers not to cross the bus apron - together with music during the evenings. Estimated cost £9,000.

Cycle lockers to enable more secure storage of cycles especially for long term users. Cost £6,000.

A package of improved signage - including electronic signage advising of bus services which link with Burnley Manchester Road and Central Railway Stations. Cost £18,000.

Lancashire County Council will provide the cash for the work which will be arranged by the borough council, which will also pay for running costs of the audio system.

Burnley's multi-million pound bus station has won four awards in the year since its completion, including the Medium Sized Interchange Project of the Year title at the Integrated Transport Awards in London earlier this year.

The space-age station, the result of a multi-million pound partnership between Lancashire County Council and Burnley Borough Council, opened in August 2002.