RAILWAY bosses facing a cash crisis have secured enough funds to pay their staff in time for Christmas.

After two days of talks, funding partners at Weardale Railway, in County Durham, have managed to come up with a package that will ensure all 34 workers will get paid today.

The breakthrough comes only days after it was revealed that the railway, which opened during the summer, could afford to pay its employees only two weeks of its monthly wage bill.

Company chairman Steve Raine said last night that talks about the future of the railway were continuing, but was pleased that staff were getting paid.

He said: "Staff are going to get paid the rest of their Christmas money.

"Talks are still going on over the finances of the company and will resume next week."

Mr Raine also assured visitors to the dale that the railway's short winter service will still go ahead on Boxing Day as planned.

There will be two trains a day until January 3, and tickets have been selling well.

Mr Raine has been locked in talks for the past two days with major backers, including regeneration agency One NorthEast.

What happens next is still uncertain, but One NorthEast has brought in consultants to assist with a short-term business plan to get things back on track.

So far, the line has proved an integral part of Weardale's regeneration by attracting thousands of visitors to the area since its opening.

The first year's Santa specials also proved to be a hit, with sell-outs all round.

Messages of support have been flooding in from local councillors and supporters, including Government Chief Whip and North-West Durham MP Hilary Armstrong, and Wear Valley District Council leader Olive Brown.

Mrs Armstrong and Mrs Brown said they would do what they could to help the railway succeed.