WHAT'S to be done with unwanted train carriages when they are taken out of use?

Young school pupils have come up with ingenious ways to turn them into vibrant and beneficial spaces.

Pupils from St Catherine’s CE Primary School in Horwich became the first to pitch their innovative ideas as part of a Department for Transport competition.

The competition, which was launched on Thursday at Bolton train station by Rail Minister Andrew Jones MP, is encouraging schools and community groups to submit creative designs for the renovation and conversion of the region’s Pacer trains as they are taken out of service and replaced.

Mr Jones said: “The energy and ideas shown by the children today has been really creative and fun, providing some brilliant examples of how the Pacers could play a new, exciting role in our communities.

“This competition is now open for ideas, and I look forward seeing a host of exciting proposals to provide them with a new home off the tracks.”

Entries are open until the end of September and a judging panel will then pick the winners to be announced later this year.

Pacer trains have been in service for more than three decades and were due to be retired by the end of this year.

To replace them, more than 100 new trains are due to be rolled out by Northern across the network.

However, last week it was reported that the unpopular Pacers ­— derisively known as “buses-on-rails” ­— may now run into 2020.

It is understood that the possible delays are due to technical difficulties with the new trains that will replace them.

Speaking to The Bolton News, Mr Jones refuted that the competition was a distraction from this news, adding: “I do not think the Pacer trains will be in service longer.

“There were engineering problems, but that is always the case with new trains.

“They are still working on removal of all the trains and I think fast forward only a few months and we will be transferring services from Northern.

“Travelling here today I could already see one of the new trains in use.

“I am the only transport minister for generations who has been able to say that all trains in the north of England will be either new or refurbished. So I am delighted to be able to say that.”

To enter the Department of Transport competition or for more information email communityrailcompetition@dft.gov.uk.