CHILDREN'S artwork will brighten up the walls of two stations as part of a project to promote railway travel.

Paintings have been designed and produced for Kidsgrove and Longport stations by 11 pupils from Kidsgrove's Reginald Mitchell Primary School.

The project has been run by North Staffordshire Community Rail Partnership, a Department of Transport organisation which supports rural stations, to promote the Crewe-Stoke-Derby service.

The artwork has been designed under the theme of promoting railway safety and drawing children's attention to the environmentally-friendly benefits of train travel.

Alan Stanicliffe, headteacher at the Cedar Avenue school, said: "It's proved to be a really enjoyable and creative exercise for the children. It's also helped them to learn about trains and rail travel.

"We've had Staffordshire police community support officers visit to teach them about the dangers of railway stations."

Year Six pupils designed a large picture which will go on display at Longport station.

This was refurbished in 2007 as part of a North Staffordshire Regeneration Zone (NSRZ) project when anti-vandalism shelters, CCTV and new departure boards were introduced.

The after-school care club did several paintings which will go on display at a revamped waiting room at Kidsgrove railway station.

The joint project between Network Rail and the North Staffordshire Rail partnership is being financed by Staffordshire County Council.

The new facility, due to be completed by the end of next month, is part of a raft of improvements which have taken place over the last 18 months.

They include the launch of hourly services to London and Manchester offered by London Midland and Northern Rail in December 2008.

Faye Lambert, from North Staffordshire Community Rail Partnership, said she was very impressed by the standard of the designs.

She said: "A major part of our work is to involve the community in station improvements to inspire local pride and create awareness of the rail service.

"The children have done a great job, coming up with some vibrant designs which are full of character."

Claire Ansley, route manager for East Midlands Trains, said: "We want our stations to be as welcoming as possible, and we're sure people will be delighted to see the lovely paintings."

North Staffordshire Community Rail Partnership aims to join up local authorities, businesses and community groups to improve the North Staffordshire Line (Crewe-Stoke-Derby).

Current partners are North Staffordshire Line train operator East Midlands Trains, Cheshire East Council, Derbyshire and Staffordshire County Councils, Stoke-on-Trent City Council, the North Staffordshire Rail Promotion Group and Railfuture (West Midlands branch).