VANDALS have targeted Atherton train station after a community volunteer decorated the platforms for commuters.

Valerie Houghton, aged 70, began sprucing up the station nine months ago and has since completed three gardens — one a memorial space for residents.

However since the station’s transformation, which has now been completed for winter, vandals have dug and ripped up plants, a line of trees and stolen iron ornaments which were screwed to the station wall.

Mrs Houghton, who owns Houghton Estate Agents in Atherton, said: “It is disappointing and upsetting that some mindless people have done this but I don’t want this to represent Atherton and make people think that Atherton is a bad place to live because there are so many lovely people who live here.

“I didn’t expect it to happen in all honesty, it took me by surprise. I just wanted to make it a happier and brighter place for people going to work in the morning.

“I noticed that some plants had gone, but I just replaced them, but then a line of beautiful conifer trees went. I know it isn’t children because they had actually been dug up.

“I got four wrought iron decorations from Southport flower show, two jewelled dragon flies and two butterflies and noticed that they had been unscrewed from the wall.

“But I did put on a poppy display and which wasn't touched, so they obviously have some kind of heart."

Mrs Houghton is appealing to people if they see any of the stolen items in someone’s garden they should be aware of where they might have come.

She said she is determined to continue.

“It won’t stop me. I have thoroughly enjoyed what I have done and I won’t let them win."