North Yorkshire Moors Railway is celebrating after receiving an £800,000 grant from the Coastal Communities Fund towards major improvements at Whitby station.

In total, a funding package of £1.4 million has now been secured for the work which will include a second track and platform.

Network Rail has already agreed to provide £500,000, with a further £100,000 from the Railway Heritage Trust.

A NYMR spokesman said: “The extra track and platform would allow the number of NYMR steam trains to and from Whitby to increase from three to five a day from April 2014, which should be a major boost to the local tourist economy.”