The North Yorkshire Moors Railway needs volunteers to come forward to support its ongoing lineside conservation projects.

Covering the railways 18 miles of track from Pickering to Grosmont, the projects will support an array of habitats, flora and fauna including rarities such as the Duke of Burgundy butterfly as well as otters, slow worms, adders and common lizards.

Kerry Fieldhouse, Lineside Conservation Officer, North Yorkshire Moors Railway, said: “As winter approaches and the nights draw in, it’s very easy for us to hunker down – but for me, there’s nothing better than escaping the day-to-day by getting outdoors and enjoying all that nature has to offer – not least the mental and physical benefits of getting active in the fresh air.

“One great way to do that is volunteering at the NYMR – we are a registered charity and are always looking for new members to join the lineside conservation team, who love swapping the humdrum of every day for some fresh air and beautiful vistas.

“Conservation volunteering is physical work, clearing areas, digging, lopping and using bow saws – but it’s hugely rewarding and there are visible results. It is genuinely suitable for lots of different people and we encourage you to take it at your own pace. For example, one of our volunteers, Jeff, has arthritis, so he simply takes his own chair to sit on when he needs a breather.”

Thanks to funding via the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the North Yorkshire Moors Railway lineside conservation work is able to continue as part of the Yorkshire’s Magnificent Journey Project which aims to create a sustainable railway which will operate long into the future.

Volunteer days usually take place on Thursdays with some occasional weekend projects.

For anybody aged 18 or over who is interested in volunteering as part of the heritage railway’s lineside conservation work, please visit:  nymr.co.uk/volunteer