VOLUNTEERS at the West Somerset Railway’s Stogumber station were this week celebrating raising over £20,000, which is being used to give a massive face-lift to the iconic buildings and to even buy nearby woodland.

The money has been raised from subscriptions and donations to Friends of Stogumber Station (FOSS), plus the profit from cream teas and home-made cakes served to visitors at the picnic area where the station’s goods shed and sidings once stood.

Money has been used to buy the wooded hillside behind the station from Somerset County Council to preserve its setting, and for the repair and maintenance of buildings, fences, benches on the site.

FOSS also helped the railway through the Covid crisis, providing funds towards the renewal of some of the track.

Preservation work on the raised platform, where cattle were penned before being taken to market, has also been carried out over several years by a team of volunteers.

A project to restore iron railings and brickwork has been almost completed, and the official opening will be marked during the WSR’s Spring Steam Gala (May 5-8).

WSR chairman Jonathan Jones-Pratt praised stationmaster Bob Preston and the volunteers for their "fantastic effort and their long-standing support of the railway."

He added: "This is a great effort which we much appreciate, and is more good news at the start of what we hope will be a highly-successful and enjoyable season from the commencement of our train services on March 19."