THE North Yorkshire Moors Railway is holding a family volunteering weekend to help carry out work on the 18 mile long heritage network.

Family groups, which can include fathers, sons, mothers, daughters and grandchildren, can wade in to help with repairs and maintenance on the historic route dating back to 1832.

The Railway Association has a Junior Volunteers Group which will be working during the weekend on May 16 and 17 and they’re inviting family volunteers to work with them on a range of tasks at Levisham Station and Newtondale Halt.

The line which runs from Pickering to Grosmont with a further six mile stretch on the main network to Whitby, employs 85 paid staff, with 50 part time staff but relies on hundreds of enthusiastic volunteers who help keep it going.

A spokesman said: “If you are new to volunteering on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway don’t worry as we will provide the tools and training necessary. All you need to bring will be old clothes and stout shoes.”

Volunteers will need to be members of the railway association, camping is possible and station facilities can be used. Work starts at 9am finishing around 4.30pm with meals available in the evening.

The Association say they are also keen to attract new volunteers who can help with a range of jobs to hands on working on engines and the line to office jobs. Anyone who would like to find out more go to www.nymr.co.uk/special-events/family-volunteering-weekend/