CHRISTCHURCH Community Partnership is on track to "adopt" the town's railway station to help improve the image of an important gateway to the borough.

Working closely with rail operators South West Trains, the partnership has drawn up a package of proposals for the station and its environs to make it more welcoming, especially for visitors arriving in the town.

The proposed adoption of the station was instigated by the partnership's high- quality environment action group as part of the Christchurch Community Plan launched in December.

Mayor Cllr Josephine Spencer said: "This is an important project for Christchurch as the station is the first experience many visitors have of the borough.

"The improvements we are looking to make will also have significant benefits for residents who travel to and from the station, as they will make it a much safer and more inviting place."

Planned improvements include: l a pavement leading from the station to Stour Road and Clarendon Road; l fencing around the station; l upgrading of both internal and external seating; l a new display area for mounting exhibitions from schools and other art groups; l signs guiding commuters to Christchurch attractions; l lighting outside the station.

An initial meeting held in October discussed the work that would be needed to make these improvements.

Now a second meeting to take things further is to be held at Christchurch infant school in Addiscombe Road on Wednesday, January 23.

This meeting, at 6.30pm, will detail the activities and look at a timetable for the works and set up a small team to deliver the project.

Anyone interested in the station project is welcome to attend and should contact the Community Partnership Support Unit at the Civic Offices on 01202-495017 or email communityparnership@christchurch.go.uk to register their interest.