THE EAST Lancashire Railway has officially launched its new wheelchair accessible carriage.

The latest addition to the growing fleet of coaching stock is a converted 1950s brake coach which has undergone an extensive six month restoration.

The new coach can comfortably accommodate up to four wheelchair users with additional seating and standing room available for accompanying guests.

The Bury-based heritage railway is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the North West, welcoming over 160,000 visitors each year, and the new wheelchair accessible carriage is another string to the predominantly volunteer run organisation's bow.

Mike Kelly, East Lancashire Railway chairman, said: "We are always looking at ways to enhance the customer experience and the introduction of wheelchair accessible carriages means that we can now offer visitors with mobility impairments comfortable surrounds for an ELR experience!

"I would like to take this opportunity to praise all our dedicated staff and volunteers whose hard-work and commitment to both the fundraising and renovation of the wheelchair accessible carriage have led to something the East Lancashire Railway and its visitors can be very proud of."

The wheelchair accessible carriage is the first of three to be rolled out across the railway within the next few years.

Richard Barnett, commercial director for the railway, explained that while the railway had always been wheelchair friendly this would allow for a better experience for wheelchair users.

He said: "Our trains have always been accessible to wheelchair users but we have made the facilities better.

"We have come up with a bespoke solution that allows everyone to have an equal opportunity to enjoy the railway.

"As we are a heritage attraction when these trains were made in the 1950s they weren't designed with wheelchair users in mind.

"Over the years we have been working to improve the the facilities for wheelchair users."

For more information on the new carriage and to find out when it will be in service contact the railway on 0161 764 7790.