RAIL users are set to benefit from a £1 million scheme to modernise five train stations around Bolton.

Horwich Parkway, Lostock, Kearsley, Blackrod and Westhoughton train stations will be refurbished over the next year.

Horwich Parkway will get a £500,000 make over with plans to build a new station building and an update to its CCTV facilities.

Up to £500,000 will be spent on Lostock station to extend the car park and build a new booking office by 2006.

Vandal-plagued Kearsley station will get a £100,000 boost to improve security and safety and demolish buildings ravaged by fire.

And Westhoughton rail users will benefit from a £25,000 scheme to refurbish facilities at the station and improve the car park.

Plans will soon be underway to improve station facilities at Blackrod station.

The project will be funded by the Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority, the Transport Infrastructure Fund and the Strategic Rail Authority and is part of a long-term rail plan to improve station facilities across Greater Manchester.

Cllr Guy Harkin, Bolton's deputy Labour leader and vice-chairman of the Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority, said the improvements were much needed to bring facilities in to the 21st century.

Cllr Harkin said: "One of things we are keen to improve is the waiting environment for passengers and the better we can make facilities the more likely it will be that people will continue to use trains.

"Some of the stations are tired looking and the facilities need improving so the more that is invested, the better it will be for passengers.

"Some of these stations are the first they see of Bolton, so modern facilities will help to improve the image of the town."

Work is also set to begin this summer on a multi-million pound scheme to revamp Bolton's Trinity Street station.

The first phase of the ambitious £2.5million project will start in July when the bus station on Great Moor Street will be refurbished with new shelters, lighting and footbridge.

The next phase will commence in January next year with the redevelopment of the booking hall, platform facilities including waiting rooms and toilets, real-time information screens and a 200 space car park.