Leeds Rhinos and Great Britain legend Rob Burrow was further immortalised when his name was unveiled on the side of a new hybrid-powered bus designed to be kinder to the local environment.

To mark the introduction of new, diesel-electric hybrid buses on services 7, 7A and 7S to Wigton Moor, Alwoodley and Shadwell, pupils attending schools along the routes were invited to take part in a competition to name the first six vehicles after local heroes who have done good work for Leeds and have helped raise the profile of the city.

Dominic Williams of Mill Field Primary school in Potternewton put forward the name of Leeds Rhinos and Great Britain legend Rob Burrow who, by coincidence, wears the number seven shirt for Leeds.

Metro, First and Leeds City Council are now inviting members of the public to name the remaining 16 buses. Suggestions - all of whom should be Leeds local heroes, who have done good work for the city and/or helped to raise its profile - should be emailed by Wednesday 31 August to leedsheroes@wypte.gov.uk.

Winning entries will be announced on Metro's web site during September and October.

Record-breaker

Over the last ten years, Rob has won four Super League Grand Finals and two World Club Challenge medals during his record breaking career with the Leeds Rhinos, and is currently marking his testimonial year with the club.

"It's a strange honour to have a bus named after you but one I'm very proud of," said Rob. "It's even more special as it has been named during my testimonial year. After ten years at Leeds it shows I must have done something right. I don't think any of the other lads have ever had a bus named after them so it's a first for the club".

The other five buses have been named after Radio One's Chris Moyles, Spice Girl Melanie Brown, Harry Potter actor Matthew Lewis, late fund raiser Jane Tomlinson and Leeds United legend Billy Bremner.

"Leeds has a strong tradition of sporting success and engineering innovations," said Metro Chairman Cllr James Lewis, "so it's appropriate that Rob, as a local sporting legend, is being celebrated by having one of the new fleet of diesel-electric hybrid buses named after him.

"The guided busway used by these services provided improvements in terms of journey times, reliability and comfort which are reflected by higher passenger numbers along the routes. Since April, Metro, First and Leeds City Council have been able to provide passengers with quieter, more-comfortable, and cleaner vehicles, better service frequencies, improved surroundings and infrastructure, and enhanced information, which will help grow passenger numbers even further."

Improved services

Starting in April 2011, major improvements have been taking place to bus services using the A61 guided bus-way on Scott Hall Road, as a result of a partnership between Metro, First and Leeds City Council.

The improvements include the introduction of 22 brand-new diesel-electric hybrid buses that produce 35% lower carbon emissions, are kinder to the environment and are quieter than other vehicles.

The silver double deck buses, which are powered by a combination of diesel and batteries, provide an increase in capacity and will be a major boost for the local environment. The introduction of leather seats will provide increased comfort for passengers. Dubbed the 'Seven Series',services 7, 7A and 7S provide a five-minute frequency along common parts of the rout, including the Scott Hall Road guided busway.

In preparation for the arrival of the new vehicles, which are funded from a bid by First to the Department for Transport Green Bus Fund, Metro and Leeds City Council have resurfaced sections of the guideway, made shelter improvements and increased the number of litter bins.