RAILWAY enthusiasts are hoping that they have been successful in a bid to save part of the region's heritage.

Supporters of an appeal to restore the first diesel locomotive of its kind built at Robert Stephenson's Darlington works are waiting to learn if their efforts have paid off.

Diesel 37 was bound for the scrapheap earlier this year, before a group of campaigners set about trying to raise enough cash to buy it from English, Welsh and Scottish Railways.

Although the locomotive has suffered vandalism since it was stored at a depot in Wigan, the board of the North Yorkshire Moors Railway (NYMR) believes it can be restored and has authorised a bid.

Appeal coordinator and NYMR vice-chairman Steven Hogg said: "We have submitted what we believe to be a fair bid for the locomotive, given the extent of restoration necessary."

He added that campaigners were expecting a reply by next Monday.

The locomotive mainly operated from the Thornaby shed on Teesside from 1962 and was eventually taken to France to work on the multi-billion pound TGV line to Marseilles.

More cash is still needed for the restoration appeal and anyone who would like to contribute can write to: D6769/37069 Appeal, Hobarn House, 12a Brompton Road, Northallerton, North Yorkshire, DL6 1DY.