AN historic station along the Wensleydale line is set to be returned to its former splendour thanks to lottery support.

The Wensleydale Railway Association has received initial support from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) for the Leeming Bar Station House Restoration project.

The project will see the restoration and refurbishment of the Grade II Listed Victorian period Station House at Leeming Bar.

It is planned to carry out the restoration work during 2018, to include authentic interior spaces for use by schools and community groups.

This will involve a recreated board room, waiting room, ticket office and tea room designed in the style of the Station Master’s Parlour.

Integral to the project will be delivery of a heritage education and engagement programme, designed to re-engage local people with the railway and its story.

Lottery development funding of £22,000 has been awarded to help the WRA progress their plans to apply for a full grant which if successful will total £368,000.

The building is currently listed as ‘at risk’ and requires a full restoration of the fabric and interior.

The station house dates from 1848 to a design by the railway architect GT Andrews in which he marked its importance as the headquarters of the line by the inclusion of a grand portico facing the old Great North Road.

The station closed to passengers in 1954 and was later sold by British Railways.

Over the years it became run-down and uncared for until purchase by the Wensleydale Railway as its headquarters on re-opening of the line as a heritage railway.

This investment by HLF aims to secure the station for the future, and building on its earlier investment in the Scruton heritage education programme signals confidence in the direction of travel of the Wensleydale Railway.

Hambleton District Council has provided support for the project through its external funding officer who prepared the successful application on the Railway’s behalf.

WRA chairman Ken Monkman said they were "delighted” with the Lottery support, adding: “The station at Leeming Bar was a transport hub serving its community for over 100-years. It was almost lost but now it will be restored to former glory at the heart of a busy heritage line.

“It’s great to know that we are now a step closer to preserving it for another century.”