A GROUP set up to promote the world's first passenger railway has reached its first anniversary – and says it is full steam ahead for future projects.

The Friends of the Stockton and Darlington Railway was formed in Darlington on October 15 last year.

Alan Macnab, one of the group's founding members, said he is proud of the progress that has been made in the group's first year.

Among the group's objectives is securing World Heritage Site status for the line and helping to develop it as a tourist attraction ahead of its bicentenary year in 2025.

Work has started on the arrangements for a conference in June next year, which the group hopes will raise the profile of the Stockton and Darlington Railway and bring together relevant stakeholders in an effort to take the project forward.

Mr Macnab, the secretary of the group, said: "The Friends have come a long way since last October.

"I am proud of the progress which has been made, the goodwill, the support and the partnership working which has developed over the last 12 months.

"We now know the exact route [of the line], which has been verified by archaeologists and academics specialising in industrial and transport history.

"The next phase which we are entering will be extremely important and will concentrate on bids for funding for the Conservation Management Plan which sets out the significance of the 1825 route and how that significant heritage asset will be protected and managed and its profile raised."

Other achievements clocked up by the group in its first year include:

* Securing the backing of MPs whose constituencies are on the route of the 1825 line;

* Achieving support from local authorities including Stockton Borough Council, Darlington Borough Council and Durham County Council, as well as town and parish councils along the route;

* Forming working links with other conservation and rail heritage groups;

* Setting up a Facebook page, which now has more than 120 members and received messages of support from the US, France and Germany, as well as across the UK.

The next meeting of the Friends will be held on Monday, November 3, at Polam Hall School, at 7pm.

For more information, visit friendsofthestocktonanddarlingtonrailway.webs.com