Keighley's first solar-powered bus shelter has been installed on the Braithwaite bus route.

The shelter in Braithwaite Avenue, at Guard House Ring, collects sunlight during the day to power lights at night.

The shelter, the first of its kind in Bradford district, is being tested over the next few months.

Public transport bosses want to ensure it can attract enough winter daylight and can withstand vandalism.

The shelter is expected to be operational by today. A similar trial in Halifax during the summer showed that such shelters could be useful in rural areas where there was no electricity.

The shelters can be placed at the roadside without need for digging up the road to connect to a power supply.

A spokeswoman for Metro, the West Yorkshire Passenger Transport Authority, said the Braithwaite trials would last between six and eight months.

She said: "There wasn't a shelter before at this location -- the need was identified following changes in the bus service. It has a dome roof with solar panels to attract daylight, to charge up the batteries. It has other benefits in terms of cost."

The spokeswoman said the cost of buying the shelter compared well with other lit shelters across the county.

She said: "They're nicely designed shelters which aim to provide a pleasant waiting environment. This is the first in an urban environment."

Cllr John Prestage, who represents Bradford Council on West Yorkshire Passenger Transport Authority, was delighted to see Keighley get the district's first solar shelter.

The councillor for Keighley Central Ward said: "This is another first for Keighley. I hope the shelter will be the first of many and will save on electricity and running costs."