DEDICATED volunteers who help maintain Frodsham and Helsby's train stations have been presented with plaques marking their work.
The stations were recently officially adopted by the North Cheshire Rail Users Group under the Arriva Trains Wales 'Adopt A Station' scheme.
The plaques will now take pride of place on platforms fast running out of space in the wake of several recent awards.
Helsby locals Pauline Jenkinson and Barbara McGeorge teamed up with Will Ellams and Chris Ball, from neighbouring Chester and Runcorn, to take Helsby Station under their wing nine years ago.
The group visit the station once a week to ensure the gardens are looking their best and the station is neat and tidy.
Helsby parish councillor, Frank Thomas, who coordinates the group's work, said: 'We are keen to encourage more people to use local rail services.
'By keeping an eye on the station for Arriva we can let the local station manager know if there are any issues that require action and ensure that it is a welcoming gateway for travellers.'
The group has paid particular attention to the station gardens and have received a number of awards for their efforts, including Best Kept Station in Cheshire,
Best Station in Vale Royal and third place in a UK-wide Best Kept Station Garden competition.
Frodsham Station is also an award-winning station, receiving a commendation in Cheshire's Best Kept Station competition and second place in a UK-wide competition acknowledging artwork at the station created Frodsham School students.
Janet Briggs, who looks after the station with three other volunteers, said: 'By keeping our eye on the station we can let Arriva and the British Transport Police know about issues such as anti-social behaviour and vandalism and they can ensure that they are dealt with quickly.'
