Rochford station is to receive some extra TLC after being adopted by local woman, Bernice Sayer, under 'one's Adopt-A-Station initiative. Ms Sayer was presented with her official certificate of adoption by Lynda Stone, 'one' Group Station Manager, on Monday 14 August 2006.

Lynda Stone, said, "I am delighted to welcome Bernice into the scheme. We are already seeing stations benefiting from the involvement of the adopters in other parts of the 'one' network. Their suggestions for station improvements help us to better understand our customers' needs and to improve the station environment to the benefit of the whole community."

So far, over 50 of the train operator's 167 stations have been adopted and more volunteers are being sought across the franchise area (contact 01206 363948).

Adopt-A-Station volunteers report to the train operator about the standard of facilities at the station and many have also worked hard to bring their own schemes to fruition - such as acquiring new benches for the platform, planting gardens and filling flower tubs, and helping to keep the platforms free from litter.

The Adopt-A-Station initiative is aimed at improving lines of communication between 'one' and railway station users, promoting and encouraging feedback about the station buildings and facilities to help ensure that they meet the high standards expected by those who use them.

Adoption involves no financial contributions. The only criteria is that volunteers are regular users of the station and are willing to fill in an occasional 'health check' questionnaire to help keep 'one' informed of how well the station facilities are meeting customers' needs (in addition to the regular inspections already carried out by 'one'). In return, volunteers receive a complimentary travel pass for leisure use on 'one' train services.