VOLUNTEERS hoping to make a railway station in Hyndburn one of the best kept on the East Lancashire line have completed the first phase of the project.

Rotarians launched a programme to clean up Church & Oswaldtwistle station after planting thousands of crocus bulbs there.

Members have spent the last eight weekends clearing the platforms of weeds and moss, and are now set to launch phase two.

Volunteers will be joined by Northern Rail staff as they paint and clear two passenger shelters, cut back overgrown hedges, repair railway-sleeper box-planters, and apply moss- and weed-killer on both platforms.

In the spring, begonias will be planted in both new and existing planters and the station’s “extremely grubby” subway will be cleaned and new signs welcoming visitors will be installed.

The club is working with Northern Rail, the East Lancashire Community Rail Partnership and Oswaldtwistle Mills.

Club president Ian McTurk said: “Our club is fully committed to improving the appearance of the railway station, and I am pleased we are getting many volunteers to carry out this work.”

Chris Ingham, Church & Oswaldtwistle station manager, said: “We are delighted to be working closely with the Rotary Club and the local volunteers to improve the station environment and platforms for our customers and the community.”

Brian Haworth, Community Rail Lancashire’s friends of stations co-ordinator, said: “It is great to have a group keen to get involved and we will support them in their efforts to tidy up and look after their local station.”

To get involved, call Aslam Mohammed on 01254 236300.