A NEW era of local bus services has been hailed by Pendle MP Gordon Prentice.

The MP cut the ribbon to launch the first of 15 new double deck buses which will run the Colne-Manchester X43 line for new operator Blazefield -- and heaped praise on the efforts of the company which took over local services from Stagecoach at Easter.

Each bus costs £135,000 -- an investment of £2million.

And that says Blazefield boss Giles Fearnley is over and above the £3million investment in 25 single-deck buses on the local mainline, introduced only a month ago.

After a trip on a double-decker , Mr Prentice said: "These new buses are marvellous.

"The way to get people out of their cars is to run clean, safe and reliable public transport.

"The bus I travelled on had CCTV, disabled access and I can personally vouch for the comfortable seating!"

Before cutting the ribbon to launch the buses at Colne bus station Mr Prentice praised Blazefield for keeping its promise of major investment in local bus services.

He told the gathering: "I think we will get people onto public transport when public transport is as good as this."

He added: "I am delighted this investment has been made -- it will make a tremendous difference in the coming years."

"The bus service in Pendle has ben through a difficult period with former owners, Stagecoach, but we are now hopeful for a fresh start with Blazefield ."

The company has entered a Quality Partnership with Lancashire County Council where the council is committed to making it easier for buses to run on time.

In return Blazefield is committed to providing a modern bus fleet.