STUDENT volunteers from the University of Plymouth spent a day painting and gardening at Bere Ferrers Station.

Thirty-one students painted railings at the station in the heritage colours of the old Southern Railway, matching replica period signs installed two years ago.

Rebecca Catterall from the Devon and Cornwall Rail Partnership said: 'This was our first project of the new academic year and I was absolutely delighted to see so many students turn up from all over the world.'

Chris Grove from the Tamar Belle Heritage Centre based at the station said: 'It was a lovely day and I was very impressed with how hard the students worked and how much they got done in the time.'

The Devon and Cornwall Rail Partnership works to promote the six rural branch lines in two counties and is a non-profit partnership between local authorities, including Devon County Council, Cornwall Council, Plymouth City Council, the University and the rail industry.

ViP (Volunteering in Plymouth) is a student led society at the University with approximately 600 volunteers involved in community based projects ranging from beach cleans to conservation projects, serving meals and chatting at an older people's lunch club and working with children with disabilities.