A GROUP of volunteers has transformed a once ‘dilapidated’ train station into a beautiful garden and haven for wildlife.

The Friends of Westhoughton Station formed more than four years ago in a bid to brighten up the appearance of the station and its surroundings.

The group has created garden terraces full of flowers, plants and even vegetables, as well as introducing planters and bird boxes.

Shelters with seats and lights have recently been installed, and new pathways have been put in to allow passengers and visitors to the station to explore the garden.

Other eye-catching additions include three 7ft-tall wooden statues — named Lofty, Lefty and Arthur Station by young adults with learning disabilities at Westhoughton Community College.

And there is a gallery of colourful handprints belonging to pupils from nearby schools, who have also donated ornamental animals they have made.

Stephen Freeborn, chairman of the group, said the challenge of giving the station an overhaul was somewhat daunting at first.

He said: “When we started off end of 2012 it was dilapidated and extremely scruffy. I used to use the station quite a lot and it was very disappointing to see. I thought people round here deserved better than this.

“There were weeds and litter everywhere, it was very poor."

But the group made steady progress, with some help from the rail authorities and Westhoughton businesses including Darby's Garden Centre and Hardman and Cain Fencing.

Mr Freeborn added: “We have landscaped the area, but it is a railway cutting, which means the sides are sloped very heavily. It’s quite difficult to work on so we have to be extremely careful.

“We have had safety briefings and Network Rail provided us with hi-vis jackets and gloves so we are protected.

“In order to make improvements we have had to strip out all the weeds from the banking and it’s been a mammoth task. We just worked, worked, worked.”

But he said the reaction from passengers and visitors has made all their efforts worthwhile.

He said: “I was at the station the other day and people came up to me and said 'this is absolutely wonderful, we come down here because it’s one of the only gardens we have in Westhoughton’. They come down with a flask of coffee and just look at it all.

“It’s just a fantastic, amazing feeling, helping people smile a bit."

And as well as being a hit with people, the station is now a home for all manner of wildlife.

Mr Freeborn said: "On the Wigan side we’ve just installed some new bird boxes as it has become a home for wildlife. There has been a fox seen there and squirrels all over the place, as well as lots of birds."

Friends of Westhoughton Station work at the site every Sunday between 10am and 1pm. There is no fee to join or take part and volunteers have a health and safety induction before their first session.

To find out more visit friends-of-westhoughton-station.org.uk/