The Keighley and Worth Valley Railway is to launch its 40th-anniversary celebrations in style - with help from other heritage lines.

It is staging its February steam gala next weekend and two visiting locomotives will join the K&WVR's resident fleet.

The assistance was on hand when the K&WVR had to withdraw part of its own stock scheduled to operate at the February 16 and 17 extravaganza.

Standard loco No 73096 - built in the early 1950s - was to be a star attraction but fell victim to mechanical problems.

Now the North Eastern Locomotive Preservation Group is loaning its Class K1 260 No 62005 Lord of the Isles, which has just undergone repairs, and the Mid Hants Railway its Ivatt 262 tank engine No 41312.

And the Severn Valley Railway, despite being badly hit by flooding, has provided spare parts to enable the K&WVR to repair its loco No 41241 in time for the event.

Jim Shipley, for the K&WVR, said: "It shows the extraordinary spirit of friendship and co-operation among operating heritage railways and steam locomotives that so many were prepared to help us out to enable us to present a truly memorable gala at the start of our 40th anniversary year.

"The Mid Hants didn't hesitate to offer us another engine when one became unavailable and the Severn Valley, despite appalling difficulties it has faced since its line was hit by wash-outs and land slips, immediately came to our rescue with essential spares.

"Meantime, the North Eastern Locomotive Preservation Group - which owns Lord of the Isles - told us its repairs at Carnforth would be complete in time for the gala and would we still like the engine? "

Participating Haworth-based locos will include the award-winning Austerity 280 No 90733 and the 1899 Taff Vale Railway 062 tank engine No 85.

For further details about the gala log on to kwvr.co.uk.