A project that will see a miniature railway installed at the Riverside Park in St Neots has been boosted by £500.

The Rotary Club of St Neots St Marys presented the money, which will be used for the construction of a station, to the Riverside Miniature Railway.

The 300-metre track and other buildings are in the early stages of construction and it is hoped the facility, which is being built on the old pitch and putt course at the park, will be up and running in May.

“The rotary club has agreed to give help and support to this exciting new venture for the town and this donation will help towards the construction of the new station, said club president, Vijay Patel.

“We think it will be a great facility for the town and will make very good use of a piece of overgrown land on the Riverside Park,” he added.

St Neots town councillor and deputy mayor, Barry Chapman, said the town council had been pleased to support the project.

“I was there last weekend and it really is a fantastic project and great that it will be up and running in May, which is thanks to the very enthusiastic volunteers.”

The man behind the project is Ivan Hewlett, who is chairman of the Riverside Miniature Railway Club, and he has been involved with miniature railways for 30 years. He has said he thought it would be “something nice to set up in the town”.

The project will be run on a not-for-profit basis by a group of volunteers from the club and will offer rides for an initial fare of £1 to children and adults.

“It is hoped that the project will develop over time to provide an attractive and fun amenity for our town and the wider district,” Mr Hewlett has told The Hunts Post.

It is hoped that the line can be extended to 600 metres at a later date once money has been accrued from rides and donations.

Along with the track and the station there will also be picnic tables and a workshop.