RAIL users will be delighted that an estimated £30,000 has been earmarked to rejuvinate local stations.

Brierfield, Hapton and Huncoat are among four railway stations in the area where Lancashire County Council have recommended detailed plans be drawn up for regeneration.

Problems such as security, lighting, passenger shelters, station and platform access came to light following discussions with local organisations.

Talks with the East Lancashire Community Rail Partnership, Northern Rail, South Ribble Borough Council, Hapton Parish Council, Friends of Brierfield Station and Pendle Borough Council have highlighted these problems to the council.

Lostock Hall Station will also benefit from the Small Stations Scheme, part of the East Lancashire Community Rail Partnership.

Action will be taken to refurbish and upgrade existing shelters and improve signs and bus links at Hapton and Huncoat.

A possibility of new seats, litter bins and cycle parking facilities as well as working with the local communities to improve the environment will be part of the regeneration at Hapton and Huncoat.

Similar areas of improvement are needed at Brierfield Station but there is a possibility that it could be adopted by the Friends of Brierfield Station who will work with Northern Rail and the East Lancashire Community Rail Partnership to look after it.

Coun Francis Wren, of the Brierfield ward said: "The train station is part of the Elevate area in Brierfield.

"There is an area of land near the station which has fallen by the wayside and we hope that will be turned into a car park."

If approval is given by Lancashire County Council the plans will be drawn up and completed by January 2007 and works are planned to begin in the 2007/2008.