VANDALS left a trail of destruction at a railway station — for a second time.

They targeted Westhoughton Station after a volunteer group had transformed it by planting flowers and adding garden ornaments.

Last weekend, for the second time in three months, the station was hit by vandals, with ornaments smashed and left strewn on the railway line.

The seven foot wooden station master, donated to the group, had his arms ripped off, while the group of volunteers found bottles of wine and cans of lager strewn across the platform.

In October, ornaments including a pink flamingo and white porcelain dog were stolen, with plants also uprooted by yobs.

Stephen Freeborn, chair of Friends of Westhoughton Station, discovered the latest wreckage on January 11, which must have taken place in the time since his previous visit two days earlier.

He said: "I was shocked when I found it, I just thought last time would be a one-off, after all the positive publicity we have had.

"The station master on the Manchester side has had his arms ripped off. It's mindless stuff.

"I was so gutted and people should know that it means a lot to the people of Westhoughton.

"A lovely welcome sign, donated to us by a gentleman, was also smashed on the floor,

"On the one hand, you have people and firms in Westhoughton helping us by donating stuff, and on the other you have hooligans who just want to wreck it."

Mr Freeborn said he has contacted police about the latest attack on the station, who have vowed to trawl through the station's CCTV footage.

Friends of Westhoughton Station formed at the end of 2012, and its small band of volunteers set about making Westhoughton's station as visually as others in the area, such as Daisy Hill.

Cllr David Chadwick, for Westhoughton South and also a volunteer at the station, said: "I am appalled that there are some idiots who think it is fine to smash things or to pinch things and throw them on to the track.

"I cannot comprehend why people would need to. I can only think they were worse for wear for drink. It is a sad reflection and just wanton vandalism.

"Everybody you speak to compliments the Friends of Westhoughton Station for the work they have done."