A PLAQUE now shows a place in history held by Workington’s bus station.

The building was Britain’s first purpose-designed covered bus station when it was opened on March 19, 1926, and the cast-metal plaque marks the 80th anniversary of the opening.

The plaque was unveiled by Workington mayor Judith Glynn on Sunday at a ceremony watched by a gathering that included former drivers and staff.

The station is likely to become surplus to the requirements of its owner, travel firm Stagecoach, if a plan to establish a bus and rail terminus at Workington railway station goes ahead.

Sunday’s ceremony was organised by Workington Transport Heritage Trust, whose secretary Alistair Grey, said: “The building is an important part of the history of Workington and of bus travel. We don't know if a developer is waiting with plans to demolish it but we feel we have done our part in marking the importance of this very special building.”

Stagecoach says there are no immediate plans to vacate, alter or demolish the building. Conservationists say that if and when it is no longer needed as a bus station, it could become an indoor market.

The bus station was built to an art deco design and was opened by the then town mayor Alderman A Baines. Nearly all other bus stations at that time were converted tram depots.

Workington and District Civic Trust fought an 18-month campaign to have the building listed but the application was turned down in March because the building had too many alterations.

The plaque cost £470 and two thirds of the cost was met by Workington Regeneration. The civic trust, Stagecoach and the transport heritage trust shared the rest.