EAST Lancashire rail passengers will arrive refreshed thanks to a blend of aromatherapy oils in their seat headrests.

First TransPennine Express has become the first train operator in the country to introduce scented covers, aimed at improving mood and concentration levels.

All its train seats on the Manchester airport route will have a specially-manufactured cover impregnated with an aromatherapy blend of citrus fragrances, including orange and grapefruit.

The company introduced replaceable headrest covers on its trains in 2004, as part of a major interior clean-up of carriages.

Now passengers will be greeted by a subtle, fresh, clean fragrance as they step on board the train.

Vernon Barker, managing director of TransPennine Express, said: "It is a very subtle fragrance, which smells fresh and clean. We are confident that it will make a good impression."

But the idea was given a cautious welcome by local rail user groups, who said that scented headrests should not be top on the list of train operators' priorities when it came to making service improvements.

Peter Moore, chairman of Ribble Valley Rail, said: "If they run the trains on time, keep them clean, and give people information, they wouldn't need the aromatherapy. Having said that, if it makes passengers' journeys more pleasant, then so be it."

Ron Birch, member and former chairman of Ribble Valley Rail, said: "It is a novel idea, but our concerns are more to do with having trains that are reliable, run on time, and are clean."

Clare Burn, an aromatherpist from the Institute of Health and Beauty, in King Edward Street, Barrowford, said: "I think it is a good idea. The only thing I would say might be a problem was if you had someone who was sensitive to the oils they were using. Citrus oils are uplifting and good for keeping you alert. Grapefruit, in particular, is good for concentration."