A NEW mosaic has been unveiled at Padgate Station as £200,000 renovation work continues.

The artwork, commissioned and funded by the Friends of Padgate Station, was unveiled by Cllr Tony Higgins on Tuesday, December 19.

Ceramics artist Deborah Podmore enlisted the help of pupil from Christ Church Church of England Primary School on Station Road in Padgate to create the piece.

Featuring thumbprints of every child at the school, the mosaic depicts Padgate Station, RAF Padgate and Christ Church Padgate.

Founded in 2016, the Friends of Padgate Station is part of the Longbarn Residents Association and is planning £200,000 of improvements at the site.

Chairman Bob McLaughlin said: “The mosaic is framed by tiles made by the children with the thumbprints of every child in the school along with their initials to remind all future generations of this beautiful piece of artwork and an excellent example of a local community project.

“The unveiling marks the first phase of art being commissioned by the Friends of Padgate Station.

“Phase two is due to be unveiled towards the end of January, whereby all the boarded up windows on the platform side of the main station building will be covered with 3D artwork depicting Padgate - both modern and for generations past.

“The friends group has been in long term discussions with Northern Rail with the aim to have the station completely revamped in the future - hopefully along the lines of Irlam Station - to make it a community asset for the future and something for all residents in the area to be proud of, rather than the dowdy image it projects at the moment.”

More than 200 pupils from Christ Church as well as parents, grandparents and dignitaries were present at the grand unveiling of the mosaic.