AN appeal by a local businessman for others to help him clean up Great Yarmouth Railway Station has had an astonishing response.In the week since Spencer McCormack made the call in the Mercury, he has had numerous pledges of support to improve the dilapidated station's appearance.

AN appeal by a local businessman for others to help him clean up Great Yarmouth Railway Station has had an astonishing response.

In the week since Spencer McCormack made the call in the Mercury, he has had numerous pledges of support to improve the dilapidated station's appearance.

Businesses and individuals have come forward after critics of the station were challenged to take action to smarten it up.

The station - run by operator National Express East Anglia - is described as having grotty loos, broken windows and minimal facilities.

Mr McCormack runs Bwell health clubs at Hemsby and the James Paget University Hospital and recently took over the Burrage Club in Gorleston. He said: “The response has been terrific - I have had people calling me daily since the article was published.

“Yarmouth market traders have pledged �500 and a member at the Burrage �100.

“SPP Digital has offered to provide banners with images of Yarmouth free of charge for the station concourse and I am in discussion with Haven Holidays about sponsoring information signs.”

A delighted Mr McCormack added: “We are looking at setting up a working group in the next month and hopefully improvements can get underway in the summer.

“This will need to be an ongoing project and shouldn't stop at the station, the whole area is shabby and run down.”

The health club director also met prospective Conservative candidate for Yarmouth Brandon Lewis this week to discuss the issue.

Mr Lewis has spearheaded the Fix Great Yarmouth Station campaign which has attracted around 3,000 supporters since launching last month on the social networking website Facebook.

He said: “I totally applaud what Spencer has been doing it is fantastic he has received so much support.

“I have spoken to National Express about the station being adopted by community and with Asda about providing a welcome sign.

“The rail franchise is being renewed next year and new train operators should be obliged to make improvements as part of the bidding process.”

Last week, work started on a �70,000 pedestrian and cycle link from Acle New Road and rail chiefs are looking at other ways of brightening the station.

National Express East Anglia media officer Ellen Rossiter said: “We welcome any approaches from people who are willing to work with us to improve the station.

“Our plans include improving pedestrian access to the station, providing new poster boards and station signs, and with Norfolk County Council to install a new customer information screen.”

Pledges of support for the campaign have been made on Facebook, as well as an online petition and in writing.

Visit www.fixourstation.com and join the Facebook group by searching for Fix Great Yarmouth Station.

Anyone interested in helping to improve the station, either by volunteering to do some work, or pledging cash help, should call Mr McCormack on 01493 452684.