THE LORD Mayor of Bradford will be among VIP visitors to the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway's golden anniversary celebrations.

Cllr Zafir Ali , who represents Keighley Central ward, and his party will ride on a steam train between Oxenhope and Keighley on the eve of the 50th anniversary weekend.

Cllr Ali will also view railway exhibits at Oxenhope Station on the afternoon of Thursday, June 21.

The mayor said he was delighted to help celebrate the anniversary, adding: “The Keighley and Worth Valley Railway is a wonderful asset to our district and has been a brilliant attraction over the last 50 years."

Dr Matt Stroh, chairman of the railway, said: “We have so much to thank our founding members for as we celebrate 50 years of operation, and it’s a great honour to have those achievements recognised by a visit from the Lord Mayor.”

Visit kwvr.co.uk for further information about activities during the 50th gala weekend.

One of the stars of the anniversary gala will be the locomotive Ivatt which has been specially restored so it can run on the line under its own power for the first time in five years.

Other attractions include visiting locomotives, including two that hauled the very last passenger service operated by British Railways in 1968.