A HERITAGE railway near Winchester is on track to safeguard its future after securing a £181,000 grant.

The Watercress Line in Alresford will use the money to teach ten apprentices how to maintain its stock of steam engines.

The attraction says the grant will help address the shortage of young people with the required engineering skills.

David Snow, of Mid Hants Railway, said: “We are very grateful to the Heritage Lottery Fund for making this award.

“The preserved railway business is critically dependent upon relatively few long-term experienced members of staff, who are not getting any younger!

“A key element of the project is to use the skills inherent in our band of experienced volunteer engineers, most in their 60s, 70s and even 80s, who will work closely with the apprentices to pass on their skills to a younger generation.

“Not only is this beneficial for the apprentices, but it is also rewarding for such longstanding volunteers who have dedicated many years of their lives to preserving our industrial heritage.”

Five young people will begin two-year apprenticeships with the heritage attraction in September, with another five starting two years later.