Ian and his mum complete their six month project to tidy up the former Seaton Junction station

Midweek Herald: Ian Lancaster with his mum Joan, Graham Osbourn,Carol Miltenburg the clerk of Shute parish council and Chris Sharp of Axe Skip Hire at the final clean-up at Seaton Junction. Ref mhh 20-17TI 3246. Picture: Terry IfeIan Lancaster with his mum Joan, Graham Osbourn,Carol Miltenburg the clerk of Shute parish council and Chris Sharp of Axe Skip Hire at the final clean-up at Seaton Junction. Ref mhh 20-17TI 3246. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)

A Colyton man has put his passion for the railways to good use by organising a major clean up a long-disused train station.

Seaton Junction, at Shute, has been closed for more than 40 years, and has become a popular site for fly-tipping.

So Ian Lancaster, 42, and his mum Joan, 76, got to work to clear the rubbish and brambles from the site.

Ian said: “I have always had a passion for the railways. With the history of Seaton Junction, it just seemed a shame to see it in such a state.”

Together Ian and Joan have successfully cleared the front of the building and the main platform.

The pair received support from the parish council and local firms Bradfords and Axe Vale Skip Hire who provided clearing tools and a free skip respectively.

Ian, a self-employed Beer Head Caravan Park worker said:” It’s taken six months of hard work but it has been very rewarding. I have spent a lot of time showing people around and the parish clerk Carol Miltenburg said the job we have done is outstanding.

“It has been a privilege to do it. It looks great up there now and I won’t let it get back into the state it was.”