A GERMAN-built First World War locomotive with a colourful military background is being restored to its original condition to carry passengers on a heritage line.

A £35,000 National Lottery grant is funding the work on the South Tynedale Railway Preservation Society's Henschel 0-4-0 steam locomotive No 6 Thomas Edmondson, at Alston, Cumbria.

Although there were a number of the model built for the German army during the 1914-18 conflict, this in the only one left that is suitable for restoration.

The society bought it in 1984.

Members of the public can watch the progress of the restoration at the society's workshops, in Alston.