EMBSAY and Bolton Abbey Steam Railway enjoyed its busiest ever day on Good Friday.

More than 4,000 people flocked to see Thomas the Tank Engine and his friends as they steamed between the two villages.

"It was absolutely fantastic," said the railway's business manager Stephen Walker.

He estimated that visitor numbers for the whole of the Easter weekend were in excess of 12,500.

"We broke all records, with Good Friday being particularly busy," added Mr Walker.

For the first time, the railway laid on free buses from Skipton and Ilkley.

"It was an experiment, but we will certainly be doing it again for all our major events," said Mr Walker. "It worked very well and allowed visitors to leave their cars at home."

The money raised over Easter will be put towards new toilets at Embsay Station, which will cost £50,000.