An historic railway needs to raise £100,000 in four months in order to ensure its survival.

The Kent and East Sussex Railway, which runs between Tenterden and Bodiam in East Sussex, is set to mark its 60th anniversary this year.

However the pandemic has seen it closed for much of the last year, with the steam railway saying it desperately needs £100,000 by July to recuperate the losses.

Railway commercial manager, Andre Freeman, said: “It’s amazing to think that the K&ESR has been a preserved line for as many years as it was originally in operation, having opened in 1901 and closed in 1961.

“The fight by volunteers to reopen the line took 13 years to achieve so we are determined it will continue to operate for another 60 years yet – which is why we are appealing for your help today.

“Tens of thousands of families enjoy a visit to the K&ESR each year and we want to ensure it’ll still be here for future generations to enjoy.

“If each visitor were able to give us just £2, less than the price of a cup of coffee, our target would be met and our future secured.”

The railway, previously used as a filming location by TV's Paul O'Grady and targeted by vandals, did secure a £300,000 Culture Recovery Fund grant in the autumn, but this was only to cover lost income from spring and summer.

When the second lockdown was implemented, all the preparations for a Covid-safe reopening – as well as its lucrative ‘Santa Special’ programme – were put to waste.

Mr Freeman said: “We were, quite simply, devastated when lockdown restrictions forced the cancellation of our entire Santa Special programme – we know that many families have come to regard an annual visit to the K&ESR as an essential part of their Christmas experience.

“For our team, we hugely enjoy bringing Christmas to life for our young – and young at heart – visitors.”

Ashford and Tenterden MP Damian Green is throwing his weight behind the funding drive, having filmed a video on-site last week to launch the campaign.

He said: “The railway is very important, bringing in about £5 million to the local economy, having 400 volunteers working there and being one of the borough’s big attractions.

“It brings people into Tenterden and the borough and there’s a huge amount of support as it’s such a big local feature.

“It’s both modern entertainment and a link with Kent’s past that we shouldn’t forget.

“It was originally built to carry hops and hop pickers, and that gives us a link to what Kent was like a century ago

“To have it as a heritage railway means it’s not only fun but it’s a good history lesson.

'It’s both modern entertainment and a link with Kent’s past that we shouldn’t forget...'

“I think it’s very plausible it’ll raise the money, I know so many people like it and use it, so if everyone digs in they’ll definitely get the much-needed money.”

To donate £2, £5 or £10, text KESR 2, KESR 5 or KESR 10 respectively to 70085, or visit www.kesr.org.uk

Read more: All the latest news from Tenterden