A HERITAGE railway is joining forces with organisation across the UK in a bid to raise awareness of its work.

The Colne Valley Railway, which is based in Castle Hedingham, has joined a new national campaign to promote heritage railways.

It has joined groups from as far afield as Cornwall, Suffolk, North Wales, North East Scotland and Northern Ireland for the ‘Love Your Railway’ campaign.

The campaign is being spearheaded by the North Yorkshire Moors Railway and is a six-week summer campaign from July 26 to September 5.

The Colne Valley Railway says it aims to shine a spotlight on not only the important work heritage railways do but highlight how they have all been affected by the pandemic.

The railway is partnered with more than 35 other heritage railways.

Chairman Paul Lemon said “We are pleased to have been invited to join this campaign after the struggle the last 18 months have been for us and the leisure sector as a whole.

“We are grateful for the help we have received from Braintree Council and the National Lottery Heritage Fund to keep us going and this campaign is the icing on the cake. We look forward to welcoming back new visitors and volunteers over the summer.”

People can get involved by sharing their memories using the hashtag #LoveYourRailway.