SIGNIFICANT funding has been secured by a local authority to deliver the region's next major railway attractions.

In 2018, the Tees Valley Combined Authority said it would fund the creation of rail heritage attractions in Darlington.

The town, which is enshrined in railway history, and on the Stockton and Darlington Railway, which was opened in 1825.

Today, councillor Nick Wallis of Darlington Borough Council confirmed £20m of funding for the project had been secured.

He said: “We are incredibly lucky here in Darlington to have the excellent Head of Steam museum, home of the iconic Locomotion No. 1 engine, which pulled the first passenger journey back in 1825.

“September 2025 marks the 200th anniversary of that momentous occasion and we want that to be not just a national event, but an international event.

“We’re delighted to have secured up to £20m to deliver that ambition.With this investment, the countdown to 2025 is now well under way.”

The Northern Echo:

IMPROVEMENTS: The council said it would use some of the the money to help improve existing attractions

As part of the Tees Valley Combined Authority's £588m investment plan to 'transform' the Tees Valley,' mayor Ben Houchen officially signed off the rail heritage funds in January.

He said the money would go towards development of the rail heritage attractions, which includes a state-of-the-art railway visitors centre.

On Friday he said: "Thanks to our £20m investment, our aim now is to create a world class visitor centre in Darlington to tell the stories of the pioneers and inventors of the Stockton and Darlington Railway – the line itself and the impact it has had on local communities and around the world – as we approach the bicentenary of the Stockton to Darlington Railway, we're planning an exciting programme of schemes, projects and events to celebrate the vision and innovation that led to its creation.

"This fantastic project is not only an opportunity to highlight the immeasurable impact that the Tees Valley has had on the global stage in the past, it will also help secure our tourist trade and boost the area’s economy in the present."

Ahead of plans being drafted, Darlington Borough Council said the community would be given an opportunity to 'shape the plans' ahead of the projects' 2025 completion goal. The council also said it was working on improvement plans for existing rail attractions.