Green-fingered school children and good-natured residents joined forces to bring Ashtead station into bloom.

Teachers and pupils from Barnett Wood Infant School, in Ashtead, helped to plant flower beds and a community herb garden for passing cooks on Wednesday, April 23.

Ashtead Residents’ Association has signed up to partner the station and has organised the planting and tending of three new community garden areas.

Keith Painter, Southern's station group manager said: "This planting helps put the finishing touches to the front of the new station building and car park, and when the platform work is complete the whole area in and around the station at Ashtead will be very smart indeed."

Norma Penny, head teacher, said: "The children will be able to watch the plants grow over the years and feel proud of their contributions."

The pupils also received a safety lesson focusing on the safe use of the station’s level crossing.