A £44 million project to bring Manchester Victoria railway station into the 21st century has got underway.

The station has become increasingly busy in recent years and transport bosses believe the time is right to give the dated facility a major facelift.

Provided jointly by Manchester City Council, Network Rail and Transport for Greater Manchester, the money will pay for a strikingly-modern glass roof, as well as a new ticket office, information booth, waiting room, toilets and a brighter, more open concourse.

The refurbishment is expected to be completed by the end of 2014 and the improvements could pave the way for a further expansion that will allow double the number of people to use the station by 2019.

Victoria station - which also has a Metro stop - is right in the heart of the city and is next door to the Manchester Arena.

"It's vital that we invest now to create a station fit for the needs of passengers in the years ahead," commented Network Rail route managing director Dyan Crowther.