Horwich Parkway station is to be be transformed by a £600,000 facelift in work to improve passenger facilities on the Manchester-bound platform which started on Monday.

The redevelopment will see the construction of a ticket office and waiting area together with public toilet and baby changing area.

The station is used by shoppers visiting the Middlebrook retail park and by football fans when Bolton Wanderers play at home.

The enclosed waiting area will have automatic doors, seating and a continuously recorded CCTV system which will be monitored by ticket office staff.

Cllr Nick Peel, Bolton spokesman for Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority, said: "Both the council and the Passenger Transport Authority want to take measures that will encourage people to keep using - or start using - the local public transport network.

"This work builds on the success of the 48 extra parking spaces created last year and the installation of the first round of CCTV and additional lighting.

"I'm sure these new improvements will be welcomed by passengers and visitors to the station which continues to grow in popularity."

Twelve spaces at the station's car park will be temporarily closed because the workmen's cabin will be located on the grounds.

The project has been funded mainly by Bolton Councils Transport Infrastructure Fund, with a £100,000 contribution from Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority and £50,000 from the Bolton Economic Development Zone.

Horwich Parkway is the only railway station in Greater Manchester owned by GMPTE.

The work is expected to be completed by late autumn.