BURNLEY should have a £2million state of the art bus station by Spring 2002.

Manchester based architects Strzala Associates have beaten four other North West firms to secure the contract to design the bus station on Centenary Way.

Burnley Council and Lancashire County Council jointly appointed Strzala to work on the design for the station and waiting areas, shop, cafe, information centre, toilets and welfare facilities for Stagecoach workers.

Coun Stephen Wolski, chairman of the urban regeneration committee, said: "The existing station is in a very poor state and is in need of urgent attention, which is why we are hoping to start construction in summer of this year.

"Obviously the bus station is an important aspect of the town's life and it is vital that the services continue during the rebuild.

"We were very impressed with the team from Strzala Associates.

"Not only did they have excellent ideas in terms of design and aesthetic qualities, but they were also very confident in their ability to overcome the challenge of developing a new structure while ensuring continuation of the existing services."

Roman Strzala, director of Strzala Associates, said: "Bus stations don't usually benefit from a good image -- most people think of dark and unfriendly environments.

"However, Burnley Council has been very specific in its requirement for a user friendly facility with a memorable design, which will attract people to it.

"Although it is vital that we incorporate all the necessary components, it is refreshing to be given such an open and exciting brief for a public facility."

Finance for the new station is coming from a variety of sources including a local transportation grant and single regeneration budget money.

A larger £6.5million scheme for the site, which would have included developing Safeway House, was scrapped by Burnley Councillors last September in favour of the smaller £2million project.