A heritage railway in North Yorkshire is to feature on Michael Portillo’s "Great British Railway Journeys" TV documentary series.

Volunteer staff at Wensleydale Railway are part of an episode due to air on BBC2 on Friday, April 5 at 6.30pm.

The popular history and transport series is now in its 15th season. Filming for the latest series took place at Wensleydale Railway last June. Michael and his team met with the railway’s volunteers at Leeming Bar and then took the train down the line to Leyburn.

Darlington and Stockton Times: Michael Portillo at the Wensleydale Railway

Michael showed a keen interest in the railway’s costumed living history interpreters and the role that they play in bringing the railway’s heritage to life for visitors. The railway first introduced volunteer history interpreters in 2016, at its restored Edwardian station at Scruton.

Visitors enjoy free, guided tours of the station buildings at Scruton and Leeming Bar and learn more about 1900s railway life.

Connor Lagus, community engagement officer at Wensleydale Railway, said: “We were delighted to welcome Michael Portillo and his team to our railway in June last year for a day of filming the Great British Railway Journeys series.

"Myself and volunteers from our living history interpreters team had a lovely time chatting to Michael about our heritage programme and the fantastic work that we do to bring local history to life.”

Nick Keegan, the railway's fundraising and marketing manager, added: "Michael’s genuine passion and enthusiasm for heritage was self-evident during his visit to our railway. Our team loved having the opportunity to share and showcase our rich railway history, restored stations and Yorkshire Dales scenery.”

The latest TV appearance follows on from the railway being chosen as filming location for ITV’s crime drama Vera.