The Keighley and Worth Valley Railway - which this year celebrates its 40th anniversary - is on the look out for more volunteers.

And next Saturday would-be recruits are being invited to go along to discover more about the kind of roles on offer.

People can visit Haworth Station booking office anytime between 10am-3pm.

"What we hope to do is show potential volunteers what's involved in jobs such as guard, booking clerk, the track work, signalling, sales and catering, and maintenance of our historic rolling stock and stations - everything involved in running a railway," said Sara North, the K&WVR volunteer liaison officer.

"You don't have to be a railway enthusiast to enjoy running the railway and a great many of those involved are not - our volunteers come from all walks of life, from all social backgrounds and from all parts of the world.

"What they have in common is the pleasure of being involved in something that's worthwhile, enjoyable and sociable."

A handful of people who help with administration and keeping the steam locomotives in working order on the five-mile line are paid but the vast majority of the workforce are volunteers.

And for many of the young people who serve on the K&WVR, it is a stepping stone.

Zandra Richards, the railway's young persons' officer, said: "Becoming a volunteer is often the first step to a rewarding career in the world of work.

"Substantial numbers of our younger volunteers have gone on to careers in the mainline railway industry or to other work where the skills and interests they've developed have made them attractive to employers."

Volunteers can join from the age of 14.

K&WVR spokesman Jim Shipley added: "Everyone who becomes a volunteer does have to join the preservation society - that costs £17 a year for adults, £10 for over-60s, £7.50 for juniors and £33 for families.

"Fees vary for overseas members and for life membership.

"Volunteers are trained for their duties and have to pass examinations before they can carry them out.

"We work to the highest safety standards and everything we do is subject to approval and checking by Her Majesty's Railway Inspectorate," he said.