There were nostalgic scenes in South East Cornwall at the weekend when steam returned to the Looe Valley Line after almost 40 years.

Rail enthusiasts and families lined the track to catch a glimpse of the steam locomotive. The public had the opportunity to ride on the Great Western Railway 0-6-0 Pannier Tank no 9466 as part of a joint celebration of 150 years of the Liskeard to Looe rail link and the 175th anniversary of the Great Western Railway.

The last stationmaster at Looe, Raymond Petipher, watched the steam train from Sandplace and said it was good to see it back.

Former stoker Bill Windsor, who tended to the furnace on the steam trains for seven years, had the chance to ride on the train with railway bosses.

Mr Windsor, from Liskeard, said: 'It brought back lovely memories. I wish they would bring it back, but I don't think that will happen.'

Steam trains to Looe were replaced by diesel trains in September 1961 when, to mark the occasion, a mock funeral was held by Liskeard Drama Group.

Manager for Devon and Cornwall Rail Partnership Richard Burningham said: 'Lots of people came out either to see or travel on the steam trains. I was particularly struck by the ingenuity of people who went out in boats to see the steam locomotive in Looe.'

Spectators at Liskeard station were able to see a London and North Eastern Railway A4 4-6-2 Pacific locomotive no 60019, called Bittern as it travelled from Bristol to Par. A sister engine to Mallard, which holds the world speed record for a steam locomotive, it was the first time a locomotive of this type had visited Cornwall.

There is a second opportunity to see the steam train on Sunday and tickets are still available. The coaches are 1960s British Rail Mark II of a type used on main line trains until the mid-1990s.

Spectators are being reminded they must stick to areas normally open to the public and not trespass on the railway.