SHOPPERS in Bolton town centre were urged to give unwanted pets a festive treat by helping a bus operator fill a double-decker bus with gifts.

First Manchester teamed up with The Destitute Animal Shelter in Bolton to hold the collection in the town centre on Saturday as part of the launch of its new eco-friendly double-decker buses on the 36 and 37 routes.

Bedding, blankets, duvets, toys and tinned pet food were among the items being collected by staff at all First depots to help fill the bus, which was in Victoria Square from 10am.

The new, greener buses, worth £160,000 each, feature 34 extra seats, more luggage space, on-board CCTV cameras, and the ability to lower to kerb level at every stop, making access easier for elderly passengers, wheelchair users and people with pushchairs.

There are 32 buses running in Bolton running the 36-37 services which go between Bolton and Manchester and operate at least every 10 minutes between Monday and Saturday.

Clair Plant, from First Manchester, said: “People have been really excited to see the new buses and help out the animal shelter.”