RAIL users will be greeted by a collection of well-known personalities and unsung heroes as part of a new exhibit when they arrive in Redcar by train.

The Redcar Faces project is made up of 21 portraits of people who have made a positive impact to the town, as nominated by the residents.

Portraits, ranging from Vera Robinson MBE, who has been a fundraiser for the RNLI for more than 80 years, to George Pacitto, whose ice cream parlours sell one of Redcar’s best known items, the lemon top, have gone on display in the town's railway station.

Councillor Olwyn Peters, cabinet member for culture, leisure and tourism, said: “Being able to highlight the incredible work done by all 21 personalities in the exhibit is wonderful for everyone in the town. Many of them have given their own time to help the town and their fellow residents, and we should be very grateful for it.”

The project is part of a wider ranging revamp of the station coordinated by Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council which has seen improved passenger facilities, shelters, lighting and signage.

The £1.3m of funding for the improvement to Redcar Central has come from the Local Sustainable Transport Fund and the phase one allocation of the Tees Valley Metro, which is managed by Tees Valley Unlimited.