IT was a celebration of success - and a plea for future help.

Warrington Borough Transport's (WBT) annual conference heard buses are thriving in Warrington while passenger numbers are going down in the rest of the country.

But Nigel Featham, WBT managing director, also had a message for the 100 or so officials and councillors who attended the conference in the Town Hall last Wednesday.

He urged them to make sure that they plan the town's developments and roads with public transport in mind - not just the car.

"A great transport system is like going to heaven," said Mr Featham as he finished his presentation. "Everybody wants to get there, but not everybody wants to do what you need to do to get there."

He wants a clear position' on roadworks and town development to make bus routes more popular than out of town rides.

And he pointed to the reason why trams and trains are popular despite overcrowding - the timings are more reliable.

Mr Featham said: "We are good at setting off on time - but we find it difficult to keep on time after we set off. I believe that's the major area for improvement."

He added: "We need to be brave, decisive and confident. Buses, I hope I have shown, make a fundamental contribution to the quality of life in Warrington. It is vital they are viewed as an attractive and viable way of travelling."