THE proposed sale of the freehold of West Somerset's top tourist attraction - the West Somerset Railway - was dramatically shelved this week amid claims of favouritism shown to one of the rival bidders. Somerset County Council, which owns the 22-mile heritage line track that runs from Minehead to Bishops Lydeard, announced on Tuesday that neither of the two bidders had met the required criteria for the sale to go ahead. West Somerset Railway plc, the current operator of the line, is understood to have made a higher offer than the West Somerset Railway Association, a limited company with charitable status which submitted a bid for around £250,000. But a number of county councillors are now calling for an investigation after a Freedom of Information Act request made public dozens of emails between the WSRA and Cllr David Huxtable, cabinet member for resources, who was given the power to make an executive decision on the sale. The emails date from June last year when the WSRA first announced its intention to make an offer to buy the track, to February this year when Cllr Huxtable formally confirmed the council wanted to dispose of the freehold. And critics claim that over many months they show Cllr Huxtable's clear support for the WSRA, a limited company with charitable status originally set up to support the operating company, to the detriment of the WSR plc, which has had a lease to run the railway since it reopened in 1976. Cllr Huxtable told the council's annual meeting on Wednesday that he was no longer involved in making a decision on the sale. And a spokesman for the authority later confirmed that responsibility had been passed to council leader Cllr John Osman because of the public and member interest in the matter. But the council refused to comment on whether the u-turn on the sale and the change in responsibility was due in any part to the publication of the emails. Cllr Huxtable told the Free Press on Wednesday that the sale had become more of an economic development issue rather than a financial one, which was why Cllr David Hall, cabinet member for business, inward investment and policy, would be involved in any future negotiations. He said the whole matter, including the emails and claims that he demonstrated a pre-determination, was "water under the bridge" and now irrelevant because neither of the two bidders had met the criteria - an assessment that had been made by council officers. "If the assessment had concluded that the freehold should be sold to the WSRA, then I wouldn't have made the decision - someone else would." Cllr Huxtable said he could explain every email and that he had simply been trying to "get the two sides together". "I was just trying to stick up for the plucky volunteers," he said, although he admitted that not all of the hundreds of volunteers who help keep the railway on track are members of the WSRA. "I know there are two groups of volunteers and I was always aware that this was going to be difficult. "I haven't changed my view and that is that volunteers are essential for running the railway and I cannot understand why the plc is so opposed to the WSRA owning the freehold. "I always thought the WSRA was in a difficult position and I was happy to help them with a PR campaign. "I didn't favour one side or the other but I can appreciate what the public perception might be. "On reflection, I shouldn't have expressed any opinion in an email." The majority of the emails disclosed are between Cllr Huxtable, who with 29 years' service is the longest serving member of the council, and Roger Bush, a member of the WSRA who was acting as its business advisor. They show a clear attempt to get Cllr Mike Rigby, an Independent representing Bishops Lydeard, who had expressed concerns about the sale, 'on side'. In emails sent on December 4 last year Mr Bush questions Cllr Rigby's 'independence' and claims he is linked to the Liberal Democrats, with assertions that WSR plc chairman John Irven is also connected with the party. In response Cllr Huxtable says: "I would have thought Mike Rigby would be making a big mistake if he made too much of this proposed transfer of freehold. "Perhaps that needs pointing out to him. The quieter this is kept the better and making a fuss could be construed as damaging the railway. "We cannot return to the status quo or to extending the lease now that the council are aware how the plc runs the railway. "I think lobbying Mike is a good idea - copying him in on emails is a risk. "In truth his options are very limited, as is his influence and any hiccups can be laid squarely at his door. "The plc cannot win a PR battle against the WSRA." In February, Mr Bush notes that Cllr Huxtable is planning to address Bishops Lydeard Parish on the proposed sale - which in the event did not happen. But Cllr Huxtable tells him: "I am coming to your PC meeting on 12th Feb when I think I might open my 'media campaign' which will point out that it is not in the public interest for the plc to hold the freehold." Earlier in January Cllr Huxtable tells Mr Bush the council seems to "be finding difficulties with the Office of the Rail Regulator" - probably in relation to WSR plc's view that, if the freehold was transferred to anyone other than the current operator, the railway would have to close temporarily. "This is causing concern amongst the officers," says Cllr Huxtable and asks if the WSRA could "get some legal help to help us". More emails are expected to be released in connection with the proposed sale as part of the Freedom of Information Request.