BUS operator Arriva is launching a search for St Helens' top shopper as part of its autumn campaign to highlight the benefits of bus travel for town-centre shopping.

Arriva, which operates routes across St Helens, wants to find the town's most dedicated followers of retail fashion and is asking local shoppers to nominate friends and colleagues who they feel could be top of the shops.

Bob Hind, managing director of Arriva North West and Wales, said: "Nominees must prove their purchasing pedigree, have a nose for a bargain and be dedicated to the beautiful game - of shopping. They will be judged by an expert panel of professional shoppers and a winner will be rewarded with a plaque, which will be unveiled on their local service to mark their shopping achievement".

In order to nominate a friend or family member people should simply ring the Arriva shopaholic hotline on 0121 362 4060 and leave their name and telephone number along with their nomination. The judges will put a shortlist of semi finalists through a short phone interview to test their shopping prowess, before St Helens's shopping champion is announced.

Bob said: "This is a great way to raise the profile of town centre shopping. A huge number of shoppers come by bus so there must be some real experts out there".

The top shopper search is part of Arriva's 'Going your way' campaign, an initiative to highlight the benefits of using public transport for town centre shopping. Alongside the search, Arriva will be delivering over 500,000 leaflets with timetable information and money off travel vouchers for town centre services to local homes.