A NEW operations officer has been appointed by the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway.

Richard Jones is returning to his Yorkshire roots following many years running heritage railways elsewhere in the country.

Most recently he has been general manager of the Swanage Railway, following several years in the same position at the Bodmin and Wenford Railway in Cornwall.

Push And Pull, the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway magazine, welcomed Mr Jones’s recent arrival.

The magazine said: “Richard has an impressive array of experience gained over many years as both volunteer and employee in the heritage railway movement.

“We are sure that our railway will benefit enormously from his skills and enthusiasm.”

The Keighley and Worth Valley Railway has recently been recruiting volunteers to take on a number of administrative posts, including employment officer and minutes secretaries.

The railway has several hundred members contributing their time and skills in areas from locomotive maintenance to the upkeep of flowerbeds.