Restored Lakeside Miniature Railway opens

THE town’s historic Lakeside Miniature Railway will re-open this weekend.

The attraction, the oldest and longest of its kind in the UK, was rescued by Pleasureland owner Norman Wallis after years of neglect and vandalism left it in a sorry state.

Norman bought the 106-year-old attraction 12 months ago, before embarking on a major restoration project to return it to its former glory.

Extensive work has gone on behind the scenes to restore the trains and all the individual track pieces.

With the final touches to the attraction now complete and new drivers fully hired and trained, the railway will re-open this Saturday.

Norman said: “When I took it over, I didn’t realise how poor a state it was in, but I thought this was something we need in the town.”

Another iconic Southport landmark, albeit a much newer one, will also return when Pleasureland opens this weekend.

The Giant Wheel, first built last year, will return after being dismantled and stored away before last year’s bonfire night celebrations at the park.

The £5million, 32-gondola wheel is the town’s biggest structure and gives unrivalled views across the region and out to the Irish Sea.

Norman added: “We want to bring these things to Southport. It’s important to have focal points around the town.”