ORNAMENTS donated to volunteers who have transformed a derelict railway station over the last 18 months have been stolen.

A pink flamingo, white porcelain dog and a metal sign showing a Volkswagen camper van have been stolen from Westhoughton station, while plants have also been uprooted by yobs.

The police were informed about the vandalism a couple of months ago, while the ornaments went missing in the last week.

The station — formerly a bleak and desolate stopping point — has been transformed since the end of 2012 by Friends of Westhoughton Station.

As well as putting in hours of work each week to keep it tidy, the group’s members have also put ornaments and displays on the bankings to improve the station’s appearance.

This work has been undermined by recent thefts and Steve Freeborn, chairman of Friends of Westhoughton Station, is urging the person responsible to return the items.

Mr Freeborn said: “Unfortunately we have had a spate of things going missing.

“We are all a bit cheesed off about it. These selfish people are doing this with stuff that is worth nothing to them. It is not a big thing in the grand scheme of things but I don’t want things to get any worse.”

He added: “If the thief who stole the items is reading this, please return them. They are worth next to nothing in monetary terms but mean a great deal to the passengers who use the station.”

With the support of neighbours, businesses and schools, Friends of Westhoughton Station’s 20 members spend hours every Wednesday and two Sundays a month working on the busy station, so it can rival nearby facilities at Daisy Hill and Hindley.

Cllr David Chadwick, also a member of Friends of Westhoughton Station, said: “The people that have been leading the project on the station have done a fantastic job.

"The flowers and the banks are so attractive, it is a jewel in the crown for Westhoughton.

“People must be vigilant and if they see people messing about on the station, report it.”