IT may look like an ordinary bus stop but this shelter is the latest weapon in the battle against global warming.

The £1,800 shelter, at the junction of Newbrook Road and Mornington Road in Over Hulton, is one of 49 which have been fitted with solar panels across Greater Manchester.

Transport bosses say they will cut carbon dioxide emissions by more than 13 tonnes every year - and help to keep passengers safe at night.

The energy-efficient systems will harness the power of the sun during the day and store it in batteries. Sensors in the roof will activate lights when someone is waiting at the bus stop.

Cllr Nick Peel, Bolton spokesman for Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority, said: "Solar-powered bus shelters might sound like an odd idea for an area of the country where it rains a lot, but they do not need direct sunlight to be effective.

"It is very important that there is good lighting at shelters as it helps people feel safe while they wait for their bus.

"Solar-powered systems are ideal for those sites which can't easily be connected to mains electricity.

"But as they're also good for the environment and cost-effective, we want to see them used much more widely in the future."

The GMPTA decided shelters without an electricity supply, like the one in Over Hulton, should be given priority for the scheme.

Dozens are to be fitted across the region.