VOLUNTEERS have started on their latest project to bring ‘much needed’ improvements to railway stations.

Members of the Rotary Club of Church and Oswaldtwistle started a new three month volunteering project to clean and refurbish the Church and Oswaldtwistle station.

Four volunteers will be carrying out the work each Saturday to fill the area with plants and power wash stone staircases, with 12 members involved in total.

Work has also been carried out to remove weeds from the platforms at the station.

Michael Jackson from the Rotary club said: “The steps were in a very bad state and you can see a difference in the station already.

“It’s just in need of a bit of care and improvement, it’s a bit run down in places.

“In the good old days the station was thriving and there was a lot of business in Church, it’d be good to get back to that.”

Howarth Timber and Building Supplies in Accrington has also been helping volunteers by letting volunteers use their power and water supply.

The Rotary club also said it is working closely with Northern Rail and their sub-contractor Carillion to improve the station.

The company have already arranged for overgrown vegetation to be cut back at the front of the station.

Volunteers are also looking for work to be done about the tunnel between the two platforms and have been encouraged with feedback from Northern Rail.

Volunteers first got in contact with Northern Rail two years ago and previously carried out work to improve the station before halting at the end of last year.

Cllr Judith Addison, who represents Oswaldtwistle for Hyndburn Council, said: “Many residents have expressed concern about the state of Church and Oswaldtwistle Station.

“I personally would like to express my appreciation to the members of Church and Oswaldtwistle Rotary both for their persistence and determination and also for the hours of practical work they are prepared to put in on a voluntary basis.”

Work is also being done by volunteers at Burnley Central station as part of the ‘Young Arts Arriva’ project, which helps get children involved in railway improvements.

Pupils at St Peter’s CofE Primary School in Church Street, Burnley worked with artists and film producers to improve the station and enhance their learning with a recent visit.

Students will be working in their school on watercolour abstract artwork to be put in Burnley Central station to help ‘revitalise’ it.