A PRESTON engineering company has taken a leading role in the multi-million pound redevelopment of the town's railway station.

HIM Associates, based in Walton-le-Dale, are working alongside Railtrack, Preston Borough Council and the Railway Heritage Fund to improve the structure of the Grade II listed building.

Over the past eight months, roof and wall coverings have been replaced, drainage enhanced and the steelwork has been given a new lick of paint.

Strengthening work will continue for another two months but the protective netting has now been removed, transforming Preston's Victorian railway station from a dull and dingy building to a clean and bright station, essential for Preston and the North West's transport infrastructure. Andrew Isaac, project director, said: "There are many challenges to overcome when working on a Grade II listed building like Preston's Victorian station, focusing on all design work and any new features having having to be in empathy with the original structure.

"A building the size and complexity of Preston station will always present new problems, but their definition and solution has been helped by relevant past experiences."

He added: "It almost goes without saying that working on a project which is so important to our home town has been very rewarding."