There can't be many railway guards whose claims to fame include starring in a classic British movie.

But this is no ordinary guard, and no ordinary railway.

And after 30 years as a volunteer with the famous Keighley and Worth Valley Railway it is the end of the line for Graham Mitchell.

The retired teacher will hang up his guardsman's flag, following duty on September 28, to concentrate on his work as chairman of the watch committee with the fledgling Keighley Town Council.

It has been an interesting journey for the stalwart volunteer who has served in a host of roles with the heritage railway, including chairman for more than a decade.

But his real claim to fame still remains his cameo role as a guardsman in the classic movie The Railway Children.

Graham qualified as a guard in 1970, just in time to take a part in the movie as a guard who uttered the immortal words "Thank you Mr Perks", as Bernard Cribbins gave him the "right away" from Oakworth -- a role which earned him the princely sum of £7 10 shillings a day.

It comes as something of surprise, therefore, to hear him say: "In the nicest possible way, it has dogged me for the last 32 years because it is the one thing that everyone remembers."

He added: "Journalists have always said that it must have been wonderful to work with Jenny Agutter but she was relatively unknown then. The big stars were really Bernard Cribbins, William Mervyn and Dinah Sheridan."

Graham was 20 when he heeded Keighley MP Bob Cryer's rallying cry to keep the railway alive and became member 14 at the society's inaugural meeting in 1962.

He maintained an interest in the railway and became a regular volunteer when the line re-opened in 1968, taking up the job of crossing keeper at the tiny Damems Station.

He has undertaken various roles since, including chairman of the stations, management and publicity committees.

From 1987 to 1999 he was the society's chairman

"My over-riding memory will be the friendship and support of other society members and the enormous satisfaction of being part of my home town's living heritage," he said.