A RISHTON charity is issuing a desperate appeal for volunteers - just as it is about to take on a huge new project.

Rishton Prospects Panel, part of Hyndburn-based environmental group the Prospects Foundation, today revealed that £30,000 has now been approved to kick-start the adoption of the town's train station.

The Prospects Panel hopes to use the Lancashire County Council grant to clean and paint the station, and put in new flower boxes.

But the charity only has a few volunteers, and keeping up with the maintenance of its other projects in the town, as well as the station, could become a problem

Colin Cooper, secretary of the panel, said: "We will be cleaning and painting the shelter, and improving inside under the canopies. We will be rebuilding the old Rishton station sign, and building a flower bed.

"We are also going to put in four new recycled plastic flower boxes from Prosperity. Our part in all this will be to look after the flower beds, look after the plants and the watering. We also have to put in a report every fortnight.

"But maintenance is becoming a problem.

"We have five flower beds around High Street to look after, we have a new picnic area, and there is the Top Rec shrubbery. And now we are taking on the station."

The panel, which meets regularly to organise clean-up projects, as well as larger activities such as regenerating the local canal with viewing points, is now appealing for volunteers to join them.

Mr Cooper said: "We desperately need more help. If anyone can help look after these areas, or possibly adopt a flower bed and look after it, that would be most appreciated."

The panel meets at the Primetime Centre, in Stourton Street.