A SCHEME which has boosted passenger numbers on a picturesque rail line by 30 per cent over three years is coming to an end.

European funding for the Esk Valley Rail Partnership, which promotes the scenic route between Middlesbrough and Whitby, is due to run out next week.

Project officer Neil Buxton will lose his job. But one of the other major partners is pledging not to let his achievements wither away.

Howard Keal, spokesman for the rail firm Northern Spirit, promised the company was determined to build on what had been achieved.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.