AMBITIOUS plans to make a rundown railway station more attractive to visitors have been unveiled.

A Friends of Malton Station Society is to be set up, with responsibility for keeping the area well maintained.

Civic leaders have welcomed the move, which they hope will improve the appearance of the town.

Donna Lees, of the Malton and Norton market towns initiative, said the scheme was crucial because the station was the gateway to the Wolds and North York Moors.

"If you are travelling from the south or the west, Malton is the station you would travel to if you decided to visit this part of North Yorkshire," she said.

"Admittedly the station is in a poor, drab condition at the moment and something needs to be done."

She said the new group would be hoping to get youngsters together in the new year to clean up the area around the station.

She added: "We have been in talks with the tourist information centre with a view to getting an information board on the platform. That way, people will be able to see what is going on in the town and the rest of Ryedale.