PLANS for the first steam train for 30 years to run through Middlewich on Sunday have been postponed until next April.

Members of the Middlewich Rail Link Campaign are disappointed it has been delayed but are looking positively to next year's scheduled run through the town.

They are hoping it will strengthen their crusade to re-open Middlewich station and bring the line back into passenger use.

Dave Roberts, the chairman of the Middlewich Rail Users Campaign, said: "It may have been postponed but, looking on the bright side, this means that we can get some publicity beforehand.

"I believe it was because the train had engine trouble and they could not repair it on time.

"The tour company that has organised this is called Past Time Rail Ltd and they were not aware it would be the first steam train to run through the town for 30 years.

"They were delighted when we informed them.

"It's really exciting. I'm sure everyone would like to see it next April. There must be children who have never seen a steam train in Middlewich. It's well worth watching.

"The Middlewich rail campaigners will all have their anoraks on waiting for it to come through the town next year."

The Rail Users have also revealed that a special diesel-hauled train - The Cheshire Mole - will pass through Middlewich on November 7.

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.