Eight substations throughout the region have been specially selected by Electricity North West as part of its Transforming our Spaces campaign.

The campaign, first formed in 2019, sees the region’s power network operator identify areas of land around substations which have suffered vandalism, lack wildlife, or may lack funding to carry out such community projects.

Substations in Thornthwaite, Workington, Rossall, Blackburn, Wigan, Salford and Oldham will all benefit from the makeover which will see flowers planted, as well as planters installed which include bird feeders, herbs and bug hotels.

Work is set to start in the coming weeks and flowers are expected to blossom by mid-summer.

Ryan Wilson, who is heading up the scheme for Electricity North West, said: “I’m delighted Transforming our Spaces is making a return this year.

“Unfortunately, we had to postpone all projects in 2020 because of the pandemic, that was a real shame as the reaction we had from the public in 2019 was outstanding.

“However, we’ve still been busy planning, and we’re determined to make this year’s campaign bigger and better.”

Substations are an important part of the power network because they take high voltage power from cables and transform it into a lower voltage which can be used safely in homes.

As a result, they are mostly found in residential areas and can be subject to graffiti, damage or other acts of vandalism.

Mr Wilson added: “We know substations aren’t always aesthetically pleasing but they are critical parts of the power network.

“Our teams keep the sites on a regular maintenance program which involves weeding and cleaning so that they don’t become eyesores, but this project takes things one step further.

“This year, some projects will involve the local community and we cannot wait to get started.”

For more information about Electricity North West, please visit www.enwl.co.uk.