A PRESTON voluntary group is searching for people who dished out tea and sympathy to the troops during the Second World War at Preston railway station.

The Women's Royal Voluntary Service (WRVS) are hoping to trace members who served refreshments to troops travelling through the station from 1938.

An invitation for afternoon tea is being extended to them in recognition of their good work.

It comes after plaques went on display at the station's waiting rooms this week following restoration at the Museum of Lancashire, Stanley Street, Preston.

The plaques acknowledge the service of Preston Station and Soldiers' Free Buffet Association of Volunteer Workers who were on hand round the clock between 1915 and 1919.

They provided three and a quarter million refreshments for the servicemen during the First World War.

The plaques were removed while the station was refurbished and after requests from passengers they were taken out of storage and cleaned up.

In September 1938, the WVS -- later re-named the WRVS after royal decree -- was established with 160,000 members by the time the Second World War started the following year.

The women picked up where the association left off.

Mary McCooey, 65, of Howick Cross Lane, Penwortham, is a WRVS volunteer co-ordinator for the emergency services and gives talks on the work of members from that time.

She said: "It would be great if we could find people who volunteered then. We know that they worked shifts around the clock.

"Many of the troops weren't allowed off the trains, so the volunteers would push trolleys with tea urns down the platforms.

"Women would carry baskets of sandwiches. Beetroot was popular and there was jam as there were fruit trees in the area."

The WRVS would like to hear from volunteers or anyone who can help on 0845 6014670.