work is set to begin this summer on a multi-million pound scheme to revamp Bolton's Trinity Street station and bring its facilities into the 21st century.

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 start 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.

Last year, the Bolton Evening News revealed plans for a rail and bus interchange on the site and the Council's transport department expects consultants to begin a study this year before the radical facelift starts in 2010.

Architects are putting the finishing touches to the scheme and a project steering group has been set up.

The project will be funded by the Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority, the Transport Infrastructure Fund and the Strategic Rail Authority and work is due to be completed by next summer.

It is hoped this year's work will provide the rail users with modern facilities leading up to 2010.

Paul Goodman, of the council's policy and transport team, said the improvement work would mean better facilities for the 2.1 million passengers who use the station.

Mr Goodman said: "The refurbishment will mean much cleaner and brighter environment for rail users in Bolton. Bolton is one of the busiest stations in the Greater Manchester apart from Piccadilly, Oxford Road and Stockport stations.

"A lot of people arrive in Bolton for the first time at the station and the improvements would create a better image of the town.

"We want to complete the first stage of work on the bus station and footbridge by Christmas time and complete the whole project by June 2005."