A miniature railway in Leyland is among 194 projects in the North West receiving Big Lottery Fund awards.

Leyland Society of Model Engineers (LSME) will get £10,000 to carry out improvements to its miniature railway in Worden Park.

The improvements will include the installation of a dedicated platform for disabled passengers to assist in access to a wheelchair friendly coach and the purchase of six new passenger coaches. 

The railway boasts 1,617 feet of track, a station with two roads, sidings and a reversing loop, upon which run beautifully maintained locomotives.

Many of the fine models have been built in garages and garden sheds.

With steam as the favourite motive power, but with petrol engines being popular too, they range from simple two-stroke engines to precise working models of the Rolls Royce Merlin and other replica engines.

LSME Treasurer Mike Heathcote said: “Since the introduction of the wheelchair friendly coach in 2009, and its existence becoming better known, we are pleased to say that demand for its use has increased every year.

“The new platform will make it easier and smoother for wheelchair users and their helpers to get on and off the train.

“The grant will also help us to build six new standard passenger coaches to help us cope with the ever increasing numbers.”