RESIDENTS living in or near to communities on the Mid Cheshire rail line are invited to help bring a Cheshire station back to its former glory.

Green-fingered volunteers will be rolling up their sleeves to clear up a neglected area of Delamere Station back on August 10.

Some parts around the Station House have become overgrown, so ivy and nettles will be removed, litter will be collected, and low tree branches will be cut back to allow woodland seeds and bulbs to be planted.

As well as improving the appearance of the site, it is hoped the project will bring wildlife to the area.

Claire Darlington, of Delamere Station House, teamed up with Mid Cheshire Community Rail Partnership for the project with the support of Northern Rail.

She said: "Over the last three years on my daily commute to work, and through the seasons, I have noticed the embankment on the access road to our Delamere Station House has been neglected and become overgrown.

"It is now drowned in ivy and nettles where litter collects easily in the undergrowth.

"My father has owned the beautiful railway building for more than 40 years and when he restored the railway station, he too planted this area up with wildflowers.

"More recently I had the idea to remove the ivy and nettles and open the area up by cutting some low-lying branches off trees to allow more light through.

"Once this is completed, we are looking to sow woodland seeds and plant native bulbs to produce colour and thus improve wildlife to the area we are planning to plant and therefore bringing some colour and pleasure to people using the railway station."

Delamere Station on the Mid Cheshire Line is the gateway to the popular Cheshire beauty spot, Delamere Forest, enjoyed by residents of, and visitors to, the county.

Sarah Morgan, community rail officer, added: "Delamere Forest is a major destination on the Mid Cheshire Line and with such great access by rail, it gives visitors a great opportunity to enjoy a scenic rail journey through the Cheshire countryside.

"The station platforms are welcoming, and you can see why the Friends group has won several Cheshire Best Kept Stations Awards.

"Whilst the platforms are bright and well maintained, there are some areas around the station that have become overgrown in recent years and enhancing these areas will be appreciated by rail users and visitors to the forest."

For information on volunteering, contact Sarah Morgan, community rail officer for the Mid Cheshire Community Rail partnership on sarah.morgan@midcheshirerail.org.uk or 07825815442.