BUSES will display photographic tributes to the band Viola Beach and their manager to mark the first anniversary of their deaths.

Arriva North West hosted the families of River Reeves and Tom Lowe at the unveiling of four new decorated buses at the Jackson Street depot in St Helens.

The vehicles feature a publicity shot of the Warrington band, a picture of their manager Craig Tarry and the band logo.

It has been a year since the foursome, including Jack Dakin, Kris Leonard died in a car crash in Sweden cutting short a promising music career.

They were on their way back to the UK when their car crashed into a raised section of a bridge and fell into a canal.

The four new buses, unveiled on the anniversary of their death on February 13 2016, will be used across St Helens and Warrington on a number of different services for a year.

The band recorded several tracks, including their debut single Swings and Waterslides with Sugar House Music, at Catalyst Studios on Parade Street, St Helens.

The studios are above the office for Arriva bus drivers in St Helens.

Sugar House’s Ady Hall and Lee McCarthy, said: “Upon meeting Kris and the lads we sensed that there was something unique about Viola Beach.

“What happened last year is something that will stay with us for the rest of our lives. We were so excited to see how Viola Beach were progressing.

“They were on the cusp of something amazing. Before the tragedy we wholeheartedly believed they were going to make it.

“They were taken from the world too soon but I hope that their legacy remains. We’re really proud to have known them.”

Julie Linforth, marketing director at Arriva North West said: “It’s been really good to talk to the families and help to mark the annuiversary in a positive way.

“We really wanted to offer our support to the families and also help the communities to remember their musical talent.

“In the future, we hope to also adapt disused buses into moving recording studios in Viola Beach’s memory, so that other young people can get into music just like them and they can continue to inspire others.”

Ruth Lowe, Tom’s mum said: “It is remarkable to see the boys on the bus, they had such a talent and its great that that is still being shared with everyone.

“As a mum its lovely to know their memory will live on and the buses look amazing and have been done very tastefully, prominently featuring the boys and Craig in a beautiful way.

“I didn’t think it would be anything like this and I know they have plans for the future as well, we are just so grateful and amazed.”