FRIENDS of Goostrey Station are making banner headlines with unique art work at the railway station.

A new banner mounted beside the platform features images of the home of author Alan Garner and the Jodrell Bank telescope.

The art work is by Eamonn Murphy, and the banner was commissioned by Friends of Goostrey Station (FOGS).

Chairman of FOGS, Mike Jarvis said: “The digitally-produced images are part of a Community Rail project featuring iconic buildings close to local railway lines.

“Northern Rail chose two structures to represent Goostrey; the Old Medicine House, which is the home of author Alan Garner and his wife Griselda, and the Lovell telescope at Jodrell Bank.

“Several members of FOGS attended the launch exhibition in Manchester. All were impressed by the designs, which are in a style reminiscent of the classic posters of the 1920s and 1930s.

“The aim of the project is to increase the number of visitors to the sites illustrated and to promote travel by train.”

Vice-chairman of FOGS, Craig Sidebotham, said Eamonn agreed to create a banner especially for Goostrey.

FOGS members asked him to use images which reflected the stations along the Crewe to Manchester line; as a result the title of the banner is Goostrey Connections.

Craig added: “Thanks go to the volunteers who transported and erected the banner, and special thanks must go to Bill Macdonald, who planned and made the wooden supports.

“FOGS members are also grateful to the owners of Blackden Manor, who allowed the structure to be placed on their land.”

FOGS secretary Louise Willis said: “It’s a privilege to have this special feature at our station.

We’re also excited that work to restore the historic ticket office has begun. There’s a target date of May for the owners Network Rail to complete the external repairs.”