LLANGOLLEN Railway is to run fewer trains this Christmas, it has been confirmed.

The trust issued the statement as part of a general update on its operations this month.

A spokesman explained: "September trading was around 10 per cent over budget and, whilst the initial enthusiasm after re opening has calmed, we are very pleased with the continuing support we are receiving from our visitors.

"Looking ahead to Christmas and the Santa and Mince Pie Specials, there will be fewer trains this year.

"In common with many other railways, and other visitor attractions heavily-reliant on volunteers, our volunteer cohort is much reduced since the pandemic.

"We are also limited to one steam locomotive only unless we can hire another in but that is proving difficult.

"We have therefore taken the prudent decision to operate single train running on a total of 13 days only.

"Details will be published on our new website, which will hopefully be operative within the next two weeks."

Mike Williams, operations director, said: “Social distancing will need to be managed as best we can on both the platform and on the trains so we ask visitors to bear with us.

"Hopefully it will be unnecessary, but if we have to use diesel traction in the event of a locomotive failure the carriages will, most unfortunately, be unheated so we ask visitors to wrap up warm.”

Visitors coming by car should be aware there are works affecting traffic in Bridge Street, and reduced parking in the long stay car park, so would be well advised to allow a little extra time to find a parking spot.