Keighley's world-famous steam railway has appointed its first-ever female president.

And local MP Ann Cryer - who was elected to the post on Saturday - is believed to be the only woman in the country to hold the presidency of a preserved railway.

She has been involved with the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway since its formative days in the early 1960s.

Her late husband Bob was a key figure in getting the K&WVR off the ground, and helped found its preservation society.

Mrs Cryer, who has been a vice-president for the past five-and-a-half years, told us: "My first visit to the Worth Valley railway was in November 1962 when I attended a pie-and-pea event with Bob, and I've never been away since! I am delighted and very proud to be president of an organisation I know so well and am so very fond of.

"I will try very hard to keep my MP and presidency roles separate, but I'll continue to fly the flag for the railway and if any matters arise which need taking up I will do so."

She succeeds Ralph Povey, who has retired after 21 years in the role.

Graham Mitchell, who has just stood down after 12 years as chairman of the K&WVR, says he is delighted at the appointment.

He adds: "Ann's relationship with the railway stretches back to the very origins of the society which was formed in 1962 by her late husband Bob and Ralph Povey. She was an enormous support to Bob throughout the wilderness years from 1962-68 when the infant society struggled to raise money, acquire rolling stock, restore buildings and reopen the branch line.

"She was for a while the 'talking timetable' and sole telephone information point for the newly-opened railway, before Haworth Station acquired a telephone line.

"More recently - after Bob's tragic death and her election to parliament - she has been a great source of strength in the complex current world of health and safety legislation, not only to the K&WVR but to the railway heritage movement in general. I am confident she will play her role with honour and dignity and I welcome her to the position."

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