Boost for 19th Century station

The railway station will eventually take people to the mills

Work to restore a listed Derbyshire railway station has been given a £20,000 boost.

Derbyshire County Council is helping to fund the Arkwright Society's restoration of Cromford station, with a grant of £20,000.

The listed station is one of the few buildings to survive from the old Midland Railway line to Manchester.

Work began in January, including the fitting of a new roof and new floors. It should be completed by November.

World Heritage Site

County councillor for regeneration, Geoff Carlile, said: "Cromford station is a wonderful example of the history that we have in Derbyshire.

"In the future the station will become an important focal point for the Derwent Valley... and provide a one-stop shop for information on the history of the surrounding area."

Dr Christopher Charlton, director of the Arkwright Society, added: "As part of the project, we will be employing the traditional method of lime plastering with animal hair to maintain the authenticity of the building.

"We are hoping to get additional funding to allow our building team to train up on this, it is a skill that is no longer widely in use."

In the short-term, the resorted building will be used as offices, after which it will become a working train station.

The attraction, which includes the Cromford and Masson mills, was designated as a World Heritage Site in 2001.