Ref. 14873/1RAIL aficionados young and old packed into Bradford on Avon Scout HQ on Saturday for the group's annual train day.

The event, starring Thomas the Tank Engine and friends whizzing round yards of track in the St Margaret's Hill hut, raised £320 for a fundraising campaign to replace the roof.

The Raise the Roof campaign aims to collect £15,000 for a new roof and to add steel panels designed to keep out vandals.

There is also a plan to replace the flooring in the hut.

But scoutmasters in Bradford are still desperate to recruit new leaders for two sections of the troop, after they failed to sign up new staff at Saturday's event.

Group leader Tony Moth said: "We are getting really desperate for two new leaders now and without them we will have to shut the Centaur Cub Pack and Arion Scout Troop at Easter.

"Recruiting volunteers for something like this I know is a national problem but it does not make it any easier on the boys who will be disappointed if we can't find new recruits."

Funds raised from the train day mean about one third of the money for the new roof is now in the bank.

Mr Moth said: "An event like the train day appeals to the very young ones and a few of the very old ones who still love train sets."

Anyone interested in finding out more about volunteering with the Scouts or who wants to help with fundraising should contact Mr Moth on (01225) 866100.