A VILLAGE railway station has a new set of "friends" who want to protect and improve it.

The newly-formed Friends of Blackrod Station are launching their group on Saturday with razzmatazz and MP Ruth Kelly.

The station has been at the centre of a row when the MP demanded to know what had happened to the £384,000 Rural Challenge money earmarked for the improvement of three stations including Blackrod where access for disabled people is poor.

Greater Manchester Passenger transport executive carried out some remedial work on shelters and platform surfaces but it was then discovered that the disabled access would cost nearer £1m rather than the original £100,000.

The controversy led to a public meeting being called in February and more than 50 people turned up to form the Friends who now plan to lobby the GMPTE, Rail Track and First North Western to try and solve the problems.

Mr Keith Bowes, acting chairman of the Friends said: "Access for those with impaired mobility -- and it is not just disabled people, it is also parents with pushchairs -- is not good especially on the southbound platform. Unfortunately all the Rural Challenge money has gone and we are having to start from scratch."

Mr Bowes, who lives in Blackrod, said the Friends wanted to improve the image of the station and added: "We think we can increase the number of people using the station."

One of the improvements they want to see is better parking facilities.

"Passengers share with the local pub car park at the Ridgeway Arms. We think a lot of people who would use Blackrod tend to drive to Horwich Parkway because there is easier parking there. We also want better lighting and possibly CCTV cameras."

On Saturday, the Friends will celebrate their launch with a specially arranged Music Train, featuring Cajun Specials fresh from their recent BBC TV appearance who will perform on a return train trip to Manchester Airport. Passengers will be entertained with tunes and songs from the swamplands of Louisiana. The 'Cajun Specials" train will leave Blackrod at 9.42am arriving at Manchester Airport at 10.38am. They will return on the 11.35am from the airport, arriving at 12.22pm in time for Ms Kelly to Launch the Friends of Blackrod Station.

There will also be a Fun Day at the Ridgeway Arms, next to the station, with face painting, Punch and Judy, magicians and Morris Dancing.

Visitors will be invited to join the Friends of Blackrod Station and there will be a chance to win a free Family Ticket on First North Western Trains.

For further information and to join the "Friends of Blackrod" station, contact Keith Bowes on 01204 693351. There are also a few free tickets for the Cajus Specials trip.