A team of volunteers are helping to ensure that the district's railway stations are kept free of graffiti, litter and announcement problems.

Arriva Trains Northern launched its Adopt a Station campaign a year ago.

As part of the initiative volunteers carry out spot checks to ensure announcements are audible and correct, public telephones are working and volunteers report any issues in the station which may need addressing.

The volunteers also provide feedback on improvements made by the company, station tidiness and cleanliness, efficiency and employee courtesy, as well as standards on the trains they use.

Stations on the Airedale and Wharfedale lines, which are owned by Railtrack but managed by Arriva, are monitored by the volunteers.

David Price, a member of the Wharfedale Rail Users Group and Arriva's volunteer for Frizinghall Station, said: "I think the scheme works well. I work in Frizinghall and get the train every day so I just thought it was a good idea to sign up and volunteer.

"Obviously if anything untoward crops up then I report it to Arriva. It's a scheme that's worth doing in the sense that if there is something wrong it can get sorted out quickly."

Mr Price, of Ilkley, who first volunteered for the initiative nine months ago, also completes a questionnaire about the station twice a week which is sent to Arriva.

As a reward for his efforts the 63-year-old receives a free rail pass which is valid for three months on any Arriva Trains Northern Service.

Ray Price, managing director of Arriva Trains Northern, said: "Adopt a Station is proving very successful. We have an army of people who are playing an active role in their local railway and are working to help us continually improve services for everyone.

"They are our eyes and ears and can ensure that any issues are reported more quickly in order that we can take action.

"The initiative supplements our own inspections, which are carried out frequently, and feedback from those people participating continues to be very positive."

Volunteers are being sought to carry out spot checks on Bradford Forster Square station. Anyone interested in joining the Adopt a Station scheme should contact Dana at Peartree Data on 0870 9039191.