THE first 100 passengers to use Blackburn’s new £4.7million bus station will be rewarded with vouchers, hot drinks and a Danish pastry.

Borough chief executive Harry Catherall announced the free gifts as he officially confirmed the opening date of the much delayed public transport hub as Sunday, May 1.

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The first buses arrive from 8am and passengers will be able to take advantage of real time bus information, a fully manned information desk, refreshment and toilet facilities.

Bus driver of 46 years Frank Atkinson, who works for Transdev, will cut the ribbon to declare the bus station open.

And the first 100 visitors who arrive from 9.30am will receive a £2 voucher to spend at Blackburn market and a free tea or coffee and Danish pastry from Blakeys Express, the new retail pod operated by the King George’s Hall cafe.

The bus station is the cornerstone of the £40m Pennine Reach scheme to speed up travel between Blackburn, Darwen and Hyndburn.

Mr Catherall said: “The bus station will welcome visitors to Blackburn and send out the message that this is a place that is thinking wider, bigger and bolder in everything it does.”