BUS-LOVING pensioner Lily Pye clocks up around 1,000 miles a year on public transport.

And now she will be touring Blackburn for free after winning a year's bus pass.

Customers of Blackburn Transport were asked to complete a questionnaire as part of the company's bid to see what customers think of the service provided and how it could be improved.

Lily, 81, of Wood Lea Road, Blackburn, had her entry plucked out of a hat and said: "I like to make at least three or four visits into town each week as well as visiting my sister at least twice a week. It came as a really nice surprise and was very unexpected, I am a pensioner and I live on my own, so it all helps for me."

Lily doesn't have children of her own but takes an active role in her sister's, Margaret Whiteside of Blackburn, six grandchildren and her great grandchild. She said: "I love seeing the children they really brighten up my day, which is why I am grateful for the free bus ticket as it means that I can see them as much as I want." Lily usually spends 83p on a return journey to town and 96p travelling to and from her sisters house. Lily will cover on her journey's around town about 1,000 miles per year. With the free ticket she will save more than £272 in a year, the pass is worth £1,300 and will entitle Lily to travel anywhere with Blackburn Transport. Lily said: "I won't be spending the savings on anything extravagant, I will just enjoy knowing I have made the saving."

The idea is part of the company's total customer service initiative that aims to find out exactly what the customer wants from the buses services.

Blackburn Transport managing director, Michael Morton, said: "We are delighted to be handing over the first of several tickets to customers who help us with our surveys.

"The Shadsworth services are the first to be surveyed and more will follow shortly. We are fully committed to customer service and quality bus operation and are proud to be the only operator in the area running every single day of the year.

"Overall the public were pleased with our services. The top end of Shadsworth's services, especially Rothesay Road have faults which we are aiming to improve."