A community railway run by volunteers has appealed for help to get it through the current Covid-19 crisis.

Helston Railway chairman James Packman has written an open letter asking for people's support, saying the charity had been "hit hard" by the lockdown, just as it was preparing to reopen for the new season.

He said: "Whether you are a volunteer, member, friend or someone with an interest in preserving Cornwall’s heritage, we find ourselves together in an unprecedented situation brought about by the coronavirus pandemic and it is affecting every aspect of our daily lives.

"I hope that you are well and managing to cope with the changes we are all having to make.

"At the very moment when we were looking to reopen with a renewed energy of our volunteers and some exciting changes to show our visitors, we have been hit hard.

"We have been forced to close and the bulk of our revenues, which comes from visitor income, have dropped to zero."

Mr Packman said that while the railway company was in a more fortunate position than many other heritage lines, in that everything was done on a voluntary basis so there were no wage bills to pay, it was "not immune from the impacts of closure."

It still had expenses such as rent, insurance and telephones to name a few and had just come to the end of its closed season, when larger maintenance tasks were carried out, which relied on holding back some cash in reserve.

"That is now exhausted," he said.

The charity has applied for the government’s Emergency Funding Grant of £10,000 but this carried restrictions and could only be paid if it related to fixed assets.

This was why the group was taking the "unusual step" of asking for direct donations.

"When this lockdown is over, we want to hit the ground running and urgently need to build a modest fighting fund so we can crack on with our important work.

"So, I am taking the unusual step of asking you directly to help the operating company continue by donating directly to it," said Mr Packman.

"With a fantastic team we have worked tirelessly over the last 12 years or so to bring Helston Railway from absolutely nothing to where it is now, an operating railway, running with both steam and diesel locomotives, rolling stock, stations and providing visitors with over 10,000 journeys in the last year.

"It is a vital community and visitor attraction and I will do everything I can to see that this achievement is not wasted.

"So please consider helping us with a donation to our emergency appeal, no matter how small."

Money can be paid by direct bank transfer to sort code 30-13-88, account number 00817269, with the payment reference EMAPP.

Alternatively cheques made payable to Helston Railway Preservation Company Ltd, reference EMAPP, can be sent to Helston Railway, Trevarno Farm, Prospidnick, Helston, Cornwall, TR13 0RY.

"With your help we will ensure that our railway continues to thrive.

"In the meantime, please take care and stay well," added Mr Packman.