CROWDS of visitors and rail enthusiasts cheered and applauded when West Somerset Railway’s first passenger services of the season arrived at Minehead station to a massive welcome after a three-month break.

Until Good Friday, 2019 services from Bishops Lydeard had terminated at Watchet while repair work along the line, mainly at Blue Anchor, was completed.

Minehead mayor Cllr Norman Hercock and Watchet town crier David Milton were on hand to welcome the train, hauled by steam locomotive Manor Class No 7828 Odney Manor, and cut a ribbon to mark the opening of the summer service.

The first train was crewed by fireman and WSR plc chairman Jon Jones Pratt and driver and WSR general manager Paul Conibeare.

The WSR’s busiest bank holiday day was Easter Saturday with 1,058 passengers.

To mark the re-opening of the line, the railway also hosted a Paw Patrol children’s character event which drew many families to the packed WSR services.

The two-day took place on Minehead Station, where visitors could see Chase and Marshall from the Paw Patrol TV series, plus the WSR’s very own mascot Brunel the Dog, take part in arts and crafts demonstrations, face painting and enjoy some family entertainment with a Punch and Judy show.

Mr Jones Pratt said: “It was just a fantastic feeling to celebrate the return of our trains to Minehead in some style and with such a big hit event on the first weekend.

“Everyone at the WSR can feel very pleased and proud of their efforts in achieving this milestone.”

A WSR spokesman added that passenger numbers over Easter were up every day on those for 2018 since the line fully re-opened to Minehead.