A £4.6MILLION fleet of 30 new buses will hit the roads this week.

The 'bespoke' buses, operated by Transdev, will run on all main routes across East Lancashire.

The vehicles, which were designed following a consultation with users, will include free wifi, USB and wireless charging, mini-tables, more legroom, next stop info, bigger bins and 'countdown to departure' destination screens.

The fleet will launch in Nelson on Friday and Burnley on Saturday with passengers able to grab a selfie in the driver's seat while a Big Burnley Bus Bash will be held at the Queensgate depot in Burnley on Sunday.

In 2016, more than 3.6m passengers used the four mainline services linking Burnley and Pendle’s main towns and reaching out to Clitheroe and Accrington.

The 30 vehicles will be a complete replacement for the Mainline fleet which also serves Earby, Barnoldswick, Trawden, Laneshaw Bridge, Airedale General Hospital, Keighley, Whalley and Huncoat.

The new fleet was made in the north by Optare.

Steve Ottley, Burnley Bus Company's general manger, said: "The Big Burnley Bus Bash is a chance to get up close and personal with the first of our 30 amazing new buses for the Mainline network, each packed with customer-friendly features inspired by our ‘Make My Mainline’ market research programme.

"Our research attracted hundreds of suggestions from those who use Mainline every day, and we’re pleased to be bringing their top five requests to these vehicles.

"All of the buses will include free WiFi, USB and wireless power, bigger bins, more legroom and plenty more besides as standard."

Robert Drewery, commercial director at Optare said: "We are delighted to be able to supply these buses made here in the north to serve on routes throughout Burnley and Pendle.

"The buses contain a series of firsts for Optare.

"We have worked closely with Transdev to customise the vehicle with features such as wireless phone charging, skylight roofs and LED lighting effects all designed to enhance the quality of the passenger experience."

Cllr Mark Townsend, leader of Burnley Borough Council, said he welcomed the £4.4million investment.

"I am sure it will be welcome by the users of the local bus services," he said.

"I would say it has been long overdue but I really welcome it now it has arrived."

Cllr Joe Cooney, who covers the Vivary Bridge ward in Pendle, said: "It is great to see Transdev is investing in public transport.

"I know it has listened to people's feedback so hopefully people will see a huge difference."

The service runs up to every seven minutes.

The new buses are

M1: Padiham – Burnley – Nelson – Colne – Earby – Barnoldswick;

M2: Clitheroe – Whalley – Padiham – Burnley – Nelson – Colne;

M3: Accrington – Huncoat – Padiham – Burnley – Nelson – Colne – Trawden; and

M4 – Burnley – Nelson – Colne – Laneshawbridge – Airedale Hospital - Keighley.