RAIL enthusiasts in the Borders installed new signs at the former station in Melrose - and then revealed they hope trains may stop in the town once again.

Geoffrey Evison, from Annan, who along with a group of friends has set up The Waverley Railway Company, completed phase one of the restoration project this week.

It included the installation of replica signs, a period bench, and repair work to the platform.

The not for profit company, which spent £2000 on the works, is now fundraising for the next phase of the project which includes laying track at the station.

Mr Evison, who is pictured along with his colleagues David Taylor and Michael Fair, said: "I saw an old picture of the station with a steam train passing through it in a book and the idea was to bring it back to life." And he added: "We hope that when they lay the new line from Edinburgh to Tweedbank it might encourage Transport Scotland to continue the line for another mile and a half to Melrose." The Station House was designed in 1846 by famed engineer John Miller in the style of a Jacobean country mansion - to cater for the town's growing reputation throughout the mid 19th Century as a tourism destination.

But following the line's infamous closure in 1969 the station fell into a poor state.

Historic Scotland awarded the building A Listed status in 1981 and four years later local architect Dennis Rodwell saved the building by converting it into a restaurant, gallery and craft shop.

Local development company JS Crawford Builders now own the station and they have given their blessing to the restoration plans.

Last week, Melrose Community Council donated £150 towards the cost of the project. Provost William Windram said: "Hopefully it will help to attract more visitors to the area." Community councillors heard the station regularly won awards for its floral displays and could be considered in their plans to spruce up the town next year.