OSWALDTWISTLE Mills shopping village is taking an active role in the community by helping with the upkeep of its local railway station.

In a unique initiative, the popular retail centre is offering the following services at Church and Oswaldtwistle Station:

  • Closed circuit television linked into the mills' own system.
  • Station inspections carried out three times a day.
  • Litter pick-up.
  • Care and maintenance of flora and fauna.
  • Regular promotions and special offers for visitors to the mills arriving by train.

Oswaldtwistle Mills is working with the East Lancashire Partnership's rapid transit team and Lancashire County Council on the refurbishment of the station.

Dennis Taylor, the partnership's chief executive, said: "This initiative serves as an outstanding example of what can be achieved when true partnership is at work. We are pleased with the success of this project as it raises the profile of East Lancashire and boosts its commercial and tourism potential. Visitors arriving on selected services are met at the station and escorted the 300 metres to the mills."

  • Meanwhile, Oswaldtwistle Mills is bucking the national trend to enjoy its best season ever, with sales up more than 30 per cent and visitor numbers doubling every year. Advance coach bookings for 2004 are also well up on this time last year, attracting some of the biggest names in the industry. A total of 1,700 coaches are expected to visit next year, making the mills one of the most popular venues in the North West.