THE historic Mid-Hants Railway Watercress Line has appointed a new general manager.

Jason Houlders joins the Watercress Line with more than 30 years experience working in project management and customer service positions, and as a volunteer for Severn Valley Railway in the Midlands.

He said: “I am delighted to have joined the Watercress Line. The staff and volunteers have been very supportive of me and the new role, and I look forward to working with them to make sure the railway can continue to succeed for many generations in the future.”

Bringing a life-long enthusiasm for heritage railways, Mr Houlders (pictured) added: “For as long as I can remember, I have always been interested in heritage railways. I was born just a few miles from one of the early railways and preservation groups, and I remember as a child just wanting to go to the crossings and watching the trains as they came through. It’s been in my blood for a long time.”