BUS operator Transdev is looking for photos of key workers and volunteers involved in fighting the coronavirius pandemic to decorate a specially liveried ‘Blackburn Heroes’ vehicle.

Its chief executive Alex Hornby has chosen the Lancashire Telegraph to make his appeal to local people for nominations and pictures to feature.

The photos will decorate vehicle belonging to Transdev’s Blackburn Bus Company which operates from the town to Accrington, Darwen, Bolton, Chorley and Preston.

Blackburn MP Kate Hollern said: “This is a great idea.”

Mr Hornby said: “We are appealing to proud Lancastrians for help with plans for a very special moving tribute to local key workers keeping vital services going in the Red Rose county during the coronavirus pandemic.

“We want to create a specially liveried ‘Blackburn Heroes’ bus to remind everyone of the important role key workers now have in our everyday lives – from postal workers to police officers, carers to cleaners – as they maintain vital services.

“And it’s hoped the eye-catching design will feature photographs of just some of the many people in and around Blackburn working hard for others during the Covid-19 outbreak, if enough local people nominate a friend or a family member online to appear on the very special bus.

“As key workers ourselves, our drivers, engineers and cleaners, along with our support teams, know first-hand how important it is to keep on serving local people by helping others who need to make a journey, including to and from work or to pick up essential food or medical supplies.

“We know there are many unsung heroes doing all kinds of jobs right now who deserve our community’s thanks, and so we’ve decided to recognise them by covering a bus with their photos, along with the jobs they do, with pride of place given to our amazing NHS workers.

“We’re inviting anyone who’d like to nominate a key worker to contact us via our social media – @blackburnbusco #BusesForHeroes on Twitter or search for The Blackburn Bus Company on Facebook – with their photo and why they deserve to appear on our special ‘Blackburn Heroes’ bus.”

Mrs Hollern said: “This is a great idea. It’s important to celebrate and pay tribute to the many local heroes doing so much in this crisis. I would urge Blackburn residents to send in their nominations."