RAIL enthusiasts have donated £40,000 in two weeks to help safeguard the future of a heritage railway.

Members of the Wensleydale Railway Association gave the money after managers of the line launched an appeal to raise £100,000 by the end of July.

The association says the money is urgently needed to plug a revenue gap and replenish reserves.

Association secretary Ruth Annison said: "This is a magnificent effort which takes us a long way towards the total.

"We launched the appeal before the situation became a crisis.

"We're reopening 40 miles of track and if it was going to be easy other people would have done it before."

The association has now widened the appeal for cash to include non-members.

Mrs Annison said: "There are a lot of non-members who are concerned about the fate of the railway.

"We would be delighted to receive contributions from them."

At present, the railway runs trains along 18 miles of track between Leeming and Redmire.

The association says the line will not be self-funding until trains are able to reach Northallerton.

Cheques towards the appeal can be sent to: The Wensleydale Railway Association, PO Box 65, Northallerton, North Yorkshire, DL7 8YZ. Cheques should be made payable to the Wensleydale Railway Association. Receipts will be provided if requested.