BURNLEY'S £3 million space-age bus station has been officially named one of the best in the country eight months after it opened.

The futuristic glass-fronted, purple and grey structure reached the finals of a top award at the National Transport Awards Evening 2003, which took place in London, for its modern design.

It was chosen from 400 other entries from the transport industry across the country for a shortlist of 30 in the Bus Transport Award Category.

The awards were organised by the National Centre for Transport Policy in order to recognise the key role played by local authorities in modernising the UK's transport system.

The borough council was delighted to see Burnley's bus station proudly featured alongside some of the best transport improvement projects in cities such as York, London, Leeds and Greater Manchester.

Councillor Frank Cant said: "While Burnley didn't receive the overall award, to be nominated in this high category is a major recognition of the achievement of the joint partnership work between Lancashire County Council and Burnley Borough Council to develop the new bus station.

"This project reached the shortlist based on the architectural design of the building, making use of the natural contours of the land, including the modern glazed airport-style passenger concourse designed specifically with community safety in mind.

"The bus station is now a landmark building in the town and we should be proud of this achievement."

The bus station was opened last October by Professor David Begg, chairman of the Independent Commission for Integrated Transport, and last year's Mayor of Burnley, Councillor Gordon Birtwistle.

Mr Begg likened the bus station to an airport and said it was a 'splendid example of transport in this country'.

It was funded through a partnership between Burnley and Lancashire County Council, which contributed £1.8m towards the scheme, and additional funding was provided from the European Regional Development Fund, the Single Regeneration Budget and from the Sainsburys and Tesco developments in the town.