The East Lancashire Railway has won a Roch Valley Radio Community Hero Award in recognition of the work of its volunteers.
The heritage railway was nominated for the award in recognition of the contribution made by its volunteers to the railway and the communities it serves.
The Roch Valley Radio Community Hero Awards celebrate people, groups, charities and businesses which support others and strengthen their local communities.
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The East Lancashire Railway says its volunteers play a vital role in creating opportunities, memories and experiences for thousands of visitors.
Diesel driver and head of the Signalling Department Linda Henderson said: “For almost 40 years, the ELR has operated Heritage trains through the heart of the Irwell Valley, initially serving the communities of Bury, Summerseat and Ramsbottom and then expanding to Irwell Vale, Rawtenstall and Heywood. Without volunteers, the ELR and Heritage Railways throughout the UK would not exist.
“The award recognises our over 800 volunteers, and those whose footsteps we follow, as the custodians of the Railway, preserving it for the future volunteers and visitors.”
East Lancashire Railway chairman Mike Kelly said: “It is incredibly humbling for the East Lancashire Railway to be recognised for the great and unselfish work our volunteers carry out day in, day out.
“As Chairman, I am extremely proud to accept this award on behalf of the East Lancashire Railway and, most importantly, on behalf of the hundreds of volunteers who give their time, skills and enthusiasm so generously to keep our railway running.
“As a fellow volunteer myself, I know first-hand the commitment and passion that volunteers bring to organisations across our communities.
“I would like to thank Roch Radio for recognising the contribution of volunteers and for highlighting the invaluable work carried out every day by volunteers across so many local charities and organisations.”
A group representing several departments across the railway collected the award, including volunteers involved in train driving, signalling, guards, dining trains and the station café.
The East Lancashire Railway opened as a heritage railway in 1987 and attracts around 200,000 visitors annually. It operates restored steam and diesel trains from Bolton Street Station in Bury along the 12.5-mile route between Heywood in Greater Manchester and Rawtenstall in Lancashire.
