FRIENDS of Goostrey Station (FOGS) are going global in an effort to improve the environment both surrounding the village railway station and overseas.

The vice chair of the group has been recording species and habitats around Goostrey Station which is collated into a special map.

This includes pipistrelles, a small species of bat which were found using a bat detector, as well as nesting blue-tits.

Now, this same mapping software will be used to help monitor plastic pollution in the Azores in the Atlantic Ocean.

A spokesperson explained: "Since June 2019, FOGS vice chair Craig Sidebotham has been recording the various species and habitats around the station using a Geographical Information System (GIS) which has software to create maps.

"These can be seen on the FOGS website at friendsofgoostreystation.org

"Currently, Craig is using the same software to create GIS maps which will allow people to catalogue and monitor plastic pollution washed up on the beaches of the Azores in the Atlantic Ocean - so this is where FOGS goes global!

"Craig’s friend Andrew Gaunt lives on the volcanic island of Faial, one of the nine islands in the archipelago.

"As a former mariner, he has great affinity with, and respect for, the sea.

"In the summer of 2018, Andrew carried out his first beach clean in a remote location to the west of the island - he filled a small bag to the brim with plastic debris.

"Now he collects sackfuls each week and is intrigued by what he can deduce from closer examination of the rubbish."

Analysis indicates that much of the waste originates in the lobster, mussel and net trawling industries of North America, and Andrew has even found plastic originating from as far north as Greenland and as far south as South Africa.

Andrew’s beach cleans are posted on Instagram (#midatlanticmarconi).

Recently he has started to work with students from the University of the Azores and with enthusiasts in Cornwall (#turnthetidecornwall).

The aim is to raise awareness of plastic pollution in our oceans and Friends of Goostrey Station are delighted to help with the initiative.