BUS passengers on the busiest route through East Lancashire to Manchester can now travel in style on a new £2million fleet of double-deckers.

Blazefield Holdings which took over the former Stagecoach companies of Burnley and Pendle and Ribble 13 weeks ago was today due to launch the fleet of 15 Volvo double decker buses at Colne Bus Station.

The new low-floor buses will be used on the busy X43 service which connects Colne, Nelson, Burnley, Rawtenstall and Manchester.

A month ago the company invested £3million in 25 new single decker Volvo buses which have been introduced on the main service between Colne, Nelson, Burnley and Padiham.

When Blazefield took over from Stagecoach it formed two companies Lancashire United which covers Blackburn, Hyndburn Ribble Valley and Burnley and Pendle covering the East of the county.

Stagecoach swapped new for old buses as part of the takeover but at the time Mr Fearnley promised his company was to invest £5.7million before June as a first step to modernising the fleet.

The new double deckers unveiled today have a designated area for buggies, prams and wheelchairs, individual, wider and more comfortable seating and brighter interiors with improved lighting.

There is also CCTV equipment with internal and external cameras for the comfort and security of customers and staff.

The latest acquisitions complete the promise made on the creation of Burnley and Pendle Travel at Easter of a £5million contribution to the Quality Bus Partnership with Lancashire County Council, Pendle Council and Burnley Council which will be launched this September.