ONE of the region’s most picturesque railway stations has scooped a prestigious award for the second year running.

Volunteer group Friends of Hindley Station (FoHS) has been awarded gold status in the Community Rail Awards’ It’s Your Station category, mirroring its 2016 achievement.

The award is judged on community participation, environmental responsibility and gardening achievement and how they all contribute to enhancing the passenger experience.

The station was also runner up in the Small Projects category while FoHS’ Sheila Davidson prevailed in the Outstanding Volunteer Contribution section.

Sheila said: “We are delighted to achieve gold status again and demonstrate how a bit of community spirit, pride, generosity and hard graft can have such a positive impact.

“We have come a long way since the group first formed over a decade ago, with the initial aim of cutting back the foliage on the Manchester-bound platform and planting a few flowers.

“It is a tribute to the group effort that we continue to go from strength to strength and attract national acclaim.”

Formed in 2006, FoHS comprises community-spirited volunteers who give up their time to restore and maintain the station gardens on both platforms.

The group has worked hard to produce bright and welcoming floral displays and painstakingly crafted models depicting the history and traditions of the area.

The latest addition, Our Mining Tradition, depicts a scaled-down model of the Ladies Lane No. 4 Pit, which stood on the site of the current Pennygate Medical Centre opposite the station, along with the three thatched cottages which were in the pit yard.

The walls on the inside of the station are also lined with framed artwork, created by local high school and primary school pupils to celebrate the upcoming 170-year anniversary of the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway.

Cllr Mark Aldred, Transport for Greater Manchester Committee’s vice chairman, said: “Hindley is a wonderful example of how community ownership can completely transform a station, making it a pleasure to use the facility and encouraging more people to choose rail.”

The station has a history of prize winning, being awarded the Best Railway Station Award at the 2012 Royal Horticultural Society's North West in Bloom Awards as well as an outstanding (level five) plaudit in the same year’s It’s Your Neighbourhood Awards.

TfGM is looking to provide financial assistance and wider support to community groups working to develop Greater Manchester’s rail stations.

A funding pot of £20,000 has been made available for groups such as community rail partnerships (CRPs) and station friends groups.

For more information visit bit.ly/2i1ML4s.