Network Rail has completed a £550,000 project to refurbish historic Hellifield Station.

It has repaired and redecorated the station canopy, which is over 130 years old and is built of iron and glass. It was last refurbished in the mid- 1990s.

Network Rail area director Martin Frobisher said: “This is a beautiful old building and the investment we have made to sympathetically refurbish it will safeguard its future and allow passengers to continue to enjoy the station for decades to come.”

The station is managed by Northern Rail, whose area director Richard Allan said: “Investment of this kind into our rural stations is extremely welcome and Hellifield will hugely benefit from this refurbishment.

“Our customers are now greeted by a brighter and more welcoming environment and are able to enjoy the unique surroundings this historic station has to offer.”

Ruth Evans, of the Friends of Hellifield Station, added: “It is great to see the work carried out to such a high standard on this magnificent station. It is well worth a visit.”