A historic rail and family attraction at St Newlyn East has won a prestigious award, which is considered to be the Oscars of the UK’s heritage railway world.

Lappa Valley has been named the UK’s Railway of the Year at the national Heritage Railway Awards in Gateshead.

The awards recognise excellence or innovation in almost every aspect of heritage railway and tramway restoration, preservation and operation across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Judges said they were impressed by the quality and forward-thinking approach of the attraction which welcomes more than 100,000 visitors a year.

Lappa Valley, which is celebrating its 50th birthday, runs a range of steam, diesel, petrol, and electric locomotives on three railways based around the former Newquay to Chacewater Branchline, one of the oldest trackbeds in Cornwall.

The family attraction has seen a range of investments over the last 10 years, including a brand-new soft play and indoor café, a brand-new train and ongoing investments in activities and infrastructure.

Lappa was named the county’s best large visitor attraction in the Cornwall Tourism Awards for two years in a row and most recently was presented with a gold award in the national Land, Leisure and Tourism Awards.

Owners Keith and Sara Southwell, and operations director Ben Harding made the long journey to the North East to accept the award.

Keith said: “I am greatly humbled that we have been presented with this very prestigious award, and it’s an excellent achievement not only for us but also for Cornwall to be proud of.

“We know the Cornwall has a wide range of world-class attractions, and to be recognised as the UK’s railway of the year is great as we continue to fly the flag for Cornwall and the South West in general.”

Sara added: “Lappa Valley is a very special place to so many people, and we are pleased to share this award with our entire team, without whose dedication none of this would be possible. Thank you to them, as well as our valued visitors.”

Ben said: “To have our growth and development recognised by our peers in the railway industry really is wonderful.

“There are a range of excellent heritage railways operated by very talented people across the country, and we feel very privileged to be recognised alongside them.”