UK Rail Minister Andrew Jones MP joined Bolton West MP Chris Green at the town's railway station to celebrate the government’s competition to find new uses for old Pacer train competition.

The contest, which runs until the end of September, gives local groups a chance to transform the units, now being phased out, into new community spaces.

Pupils from St. Catherine’s Primary School in Horwich and Bolton Council transport boss Cllr Stuart Haslam also joined Mr Green and the Mr Jones.

Mr Green, said: “It’s great to finally see the long-awaited improvements to Bolton station and it will be great to also see the old pacer being put to good use as community spaces.”

Mr Jones said: “The big picture is that we’re renewing the rolling stock right across the north of England.

“It’s an exciting moment. No Transport Minister in generations has been able to say that every train in the north will be either new or refurbished only a few months from now.”