Villagers are taking steps to reclaim their railway station from yobs.

Alresford residents are seeking volunteers to join them in restoring their station to its former glory after it was preyed on by vandals.

Scores of passengers declared the station, on the Clacton branch line, a no-go area on Friday and Saturday nights last year when teenagers travelled by train to cause trouble in the north Essex village.

They ripped bins off station walls and scattered rubbish across the platform.

Since then, transport police and security guards have stepped up patrols on the line and residents say vandalism has been reduced.

Now train operator National Express East Anglia has donated £300 plants and flowers to resurrect the 19th century station.

Volunteers are needed to help with the planting on May 11 from 11am.

Linda Belgrove, parish councillor, said: "This is our chance to restore the station to how it used to be."

  • Volunteers are asked to bring gardening clothes and tools. Call 01206 825714 for more information.
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