A GOOD summer with plenty of rain has helped the Friends of the Mid Cheshire Line with their gardening efforts and secured them a special award from the RHS.

Stations on the line – including Knutsford, Plumley, Mobberley and Ashley – have been recognised by judges from North West in Bloom, It’s Your Neighbourhood, who awarded the Line Level 4 – ‘Thriving’.

Sally Buttifant, Mid Cheshire Community Partnership Rail Officer, said: “We entered North West In Bloom for the first time in 2011, and were thrilled to be awarded level 4 then.

“Sadly in 2012 poor weather forced us to withdraw, so we are glad that this year we could enter again and are proud the judges feel that we are maintaining high standards.”

John Oates, chairman of Mid Cheshire Community Rail Partnership, added: “Well done to all the Friends of the Mid Cheshire Line who work tirelessly at our stations.

“This year we have fantastic gardens at Knutsford and Plumley with new art work at Mouldsworth and Plumley.”

Don Jary, client and stakeholder manager at Northern Rail, said: “Northern Rail supports station friends and adopters and values the hard work they do.

“They make a real difference at stations and communities and passengers benefit from that. Congratulations go to Friends of the Mid Cheshire Line.”

Anyone interested in volunteering at their station can contact Sally Buttifant on 01244 976788.