SHOPPERS in Leigh were celebrating yesterday as their dedicated shopping bus reached its first birthday.

The 6A service, which links Belfairs and Leigh, began life a year ago as a trial project by Arriva, but proved so successful it was made into a permanent route.

Driver Mike English and his passengers marked the milestone with a special cake.

Arriva is to launch a number 18 shoppers bus, from Friday, February 13 to run every Friday to link Belfairs to the Tesco superstore on the A127 via Hawkwell, Hockley and go to the Ashingdon areas.