Network Rail has begun a £500,000 project to repair and redecorate the 133-year-old canopy at Hellifield Station.

The glass and steel structure was erected in 1880 by the Midland Railway and has grade two listing.

Route managing director Dyan Crowther said: “This is a beautiful old building and the investment we are making to sympathetically refurbish it will safeguard its future and allow passengers to continue to enjoy the station in decades to come.”

The station – last refurbished in the mid 1990s – is managed by Northern Rail and will remain open throughout the work, which is expected to be completed by the end of the year.

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

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

Network Rail has written to residents to inform them of the work.