FIVE new directors are being sought by the West Somerset Railway (WSR), the country’s longest heritage line, who will double the size of the company’s board.

It follows the resignations for personal reasons of two directors in the past 12 months and a re-allocation and development of existing board duties.

The railway particularly wants people with skills in the five areas of human resources, development and external relations, operations, safety and compliance, and corporate fund-raising.

Company chairman Jonathan Jones-Pratt said: “These important appointments form part of the core business plan.”

The railway, a not-for-profit organisation, has a paid staff of nearly 50 people as well as about 800 regular volunteers to run it.

Mr Jones-Pratt said: “The West Somerset, like all heritage railways, is operating in a challenging financial environment, but so far this year it has operated to budget.

“For potential directors, heritage railways are an exciting but very rewarding challenge.

“In these new posts the railway is seeking committed individuals who can demonstrate a track record in the particular specialisms.

“In some cases, such as operations, this will probably have to be within a heritage or main line railway environment.

“In others, such as corporate fund-raising, the successful experience may have been in other fields.”

Mr Jones-Pratt said the existing directors came from a range of backgrounds, although a majority of them had professional experience in the transport industry, including with main line railways.

He said the railway would welcome applications from anybody new to the role of director, and appropriate training would be offered.

It was the company practice for all candidates to spend up to three months in the role of board adviser prior to full director appointment, which enabled them to become fully familiar with the railway before taking up their full responsibilities.

Recruitment packs for the new director posts can be obtained by emailing [email protected].