Great Western Coffee Shop

In a project worthy of being top bill on any television makeover garden programme, volunteers who transformed Lympstone Village Station have been recognised for their efforts.

Train company First Great Western has nominated Lympstone for a 'Community Rail Award' in the category of Best Station Garden.

People who gave up their spare time have been busy renovating the station which was overgrown with dilapidated planters on the platform.

Viv Day, from Lympstone Garden Club, said: "We won't know until September whether we have won. We will be up against all sorts of tough competition, but it is very rewarding to know that First Great Western appreciate our efforts."

A spokesperson for the train company said: "Over the past year the station has been transformed from an overgrown mass of weeds and brambles into an asset to village life."

Jobs volunteers have undertaken in transforming the station included providing a water tank and filling it regularly and strimming the railway embankment.

Lympstone Compost donated free compost and the village's garden club planted and watered flowers in containers and hanging baskets.

Viv Day added: "There have been monetary contributions as well from individual villagers. We are hugely grateful to everyone.

Changes to the station also included a small terrace being created at the front of the embankment. Redundant railway sleepers were heaved into place by the Lympstone Tug of War Team providing an accessible raised flower bed for community use.