CLITHEROE Interchange was today highlighted by countryside bosses in their new travel brochure as the blueprint of similar rural transport schemes across Lancashire.

The centre has become one of the main features in the Countryside Agency's new officially launched guide 'Great Ways to Go', as an example of transport best practice within the rural environment.

Creators of the brochure are now hoping it will encourage village communities to develop their own transport projects in a bid to meet their individual needs.

And with the help of a nationwide £47million under the agency's Rural Transport Partnership and Parish Transport Grant Schemes, people are being urged to be as imaginative as possible and come up with ways of getting out and about that meet the needs of folk living in England's villages and market towns and for visitors to the countryside.

The £500,000 Clitheroe scheme, which opened last year, helps co-ordinate journeys by bus and train and all bus stops have been brought together on the same site to make things easier for travellers. facilities are also available to store bikes.

Pam Warhurst, Countryside Agency deputy chair, said: "Innovative schemes don't have to cost a lot of money and it's not just about buying buses. It's about local people using their own imagination, their own resources and getting things done.

"There are a lot of good schemes operating around the country from which we can learn lessons, including the Clitheroe Interchange. Great Ways to Go highlights some of these and we hope it will generate enthusiasm and commitment from others to have ago themselves."