KEY workers on the coronavirus front line will now be celebrated on bus routes in and around Blackburn.

A public transport tribute decorated with pictures of several of the Covid-19 heroes was unveiled at the weekend.

The Blackburn Bus Company has teamed up with the Lancashire Telegraph to create a specially-liveried ‘Blackburn Heroes’ bus to remind everyone of the important role NHS staff and key workers have played in our lives since lockdown began.

The back has pictures of some the firm’s own heroic drivers, engineers and support staff based at its Intack depot.

The special single-decker made a weekend visit to the Royal Blackburn Hospital to give NHS staff the first opportunity to see their images on the vehicle.

Bus company chief executive Alex Hornby said: “We know there are many unsung heroes doing all kinds of jobs right now who deserve our community’s thanks, and so we decided to recognise them by covering our ‘Blackburn Heroes’ bus with their photos, along with the jobs they do – with our amazing NHS workers given pride of place.

“In partnership with the Lancashire Telegraph, we invited nominations to appear on this very special bus, and we’re delighted with the positive response from so many people who clearly share our desire to recognise those who do so much for us all.”

Kevin McGee, chief executive of the East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust , said: “This is a great tribute by The Blackburn Bus Company to the care, compassion and resilience being shown by NHS staff and key workers in our community.

“Our teams in Blackburn and across the region are pulling out all the stops to provide safe, personal and effective care to our patients every day, and I thank every one of them.

“The NHS is doing a fantastic job and there’s no way we could do this without the support of key workers in the wider community. I hope the ‘Blackburn Heroes’ bus will make all who see it pause to think for a moment about the vitally important work being done.”