NEW street lighting, litter bins, and bus shelters are to be provided across Blackburn with Darwen as part of £200,000 environmental improvements.

The three schemes - street lighting (£100,000), litter bins (£50,000) and bus shelters (£50,000) - have been approved as part of this year's Thrash the Trash programme.

Street lighting in the Galligreaves estate will be upgraded as part of a joint effort between the council and the police to tackle crime in the area.

A total of £50,000 will be spent on light improvements along Galligreaves Way, Taylor Close, Dickinson Close, Essex Close, Roebuck Close, Heatley Close and Fawcett Close.

The remaining budget will be spent on upgrading of lanterns to a more energy efficient type where possible.

Five new solar powered bus shelters will also be provided in the Darwen area to replace the old, dilapidated ones.

The money will also be used to renovate the shelters on Blackburn Boulevard bus station.

The new litter bins will be installed at various locations across the borough, either in new spots or to replace damaged ones.

Some will target town centre seating areas, school runs or busy roads such as Audley Range.

Coun Alan Cottam, executive member for regeneration, said: "The improvements are aimed at tackling environmental problems - both the environment as a whole and the environment where people live.

"Litter and poor lighting can have a real affect on the quality of people's live.

"I hope the new bus shelters will encourage more people to use buses, rather than the car."