A HISTORIC train station has been given a boost after being 'adopted' by hardworking volunteers.

Chappel and Wakes Colne Station opened in 1849 and is home to the East Anglian Railway Museum.

It is situated on the Gainsborough branch line between Marks Tey and Sudbury.

Now the station has a team of community volunteers dedicated to improving facilities and floral displays.

The volunteers are working as part of new station adoption scheme by Greater Anglia with the Essex and South Suffolk Community Rail Partnership, which approached Wakes Colne Parish Council chairman Stephen Scrase.

Mr Scrase said: “It didn’t take more than a couple of seconds to accept this exciting challenge.”

He has since recruited a small team of volunteers to help him manage the grade two listed station.

The coronavirus outbreak and lockdown stalled the new group initially but now they are steaming ahead with their plans.

With funding from the Essex and South Suffolk Community Rail Partnership, they have installed new planters along the platform.

Mr Scrase said: “I’m pleased that progress has now been made.

"We received funding from The Essex and South Suffolk Community Rail Partnership for a number of self-watering planters along the platform and then it was wonderful to go off to the local plant centre to select and purchase a wide range of colourful annual plants to fill the planters thanks to funding from Greater Anglia.

“We are very happy with the results and when more people start travelling again, they will be able to enjoy the attractive platform.

“Our group has some interesting plans to stage small events as and when restrictions allow – we are thinking along the lines of Christmas carols at the station, coffee mornings and other community events which will help to raise funds for our group and Perennial, the Horticultural Charity.”

“We are very aware that we share Chappel and Wakes Colne Station with East Anglian Railway Museum and trust our display will also be admired by visitors to the recently re-opened Museum.”