A MAJOR project to allow a popular tourist railway on the North York Moors Railway to remain open has received a £400,000 boost.

The North York Moors Railway is running the Bridge and Wheels appeal to help raise £650,000 to replace a worn out bridge over the River Esk.

The 145-year-old iron bridge near Goathland carries 24 trains a day on the line from Whitby to Pickering.

Time has caught up the single track span and repairs can not be carried out and a new bridge is needed.

North Yorkshire County Council has pledged £300,000 while the North York Moors Coast and Hills Leader programme has given £100,000.

The money means the North York Moors Railway now has £610,000 of the funding required for the bridge between Goathland and Grosmont.

Murray Brown, chairman of the North York Moors Historical Railway Trust, said: "This is brilliant news.

"We are very close to our year-end goal and are hoping that those who have supported us through the year will help to give one last push to meet our £650,000 target."

County councillor John Fort, the executive member for highways and transportation, said the railway was a tourism boost.

He said: "By supporting the renewal of this vital piece of transport infrastructure, it will make all the difference and will help to safeguard the long term future of the railway."

Mike Horrocks, the Leader programme manager, said: "It is a substantial sum for a substantial project.

"This is by far the largest grant that Leader has awarded in the moors, coast and hills area."