SPECIAL events are helping to increase the number of people using the Island's steam railway.

Last Sunday the second Isle of Man Railways Teddy Bears' Picnic was held and more than 1,000 people travelled by train on that one day alone.

The picnic was held in the gardens at Rushen Abbey and there were rides, slides and bouncy castles for children.

Community, Culture and Leisure Minister David Cretney said: "The Teddy Bears Picnic was first launched last year, resulting in over 800 passengers riding the train to its debut. It was a success then and this year shows that this success has grown - and hopefully continues to grow - each year.

"Pro-active new events such as the Teddy Bears' Picnic and Island at War are helping to increase passenger figures on the Island's Heritage Railways, investments into rolling stock and the addition of more carriages will enable the railways to expand these events and cope with these increasing passenger figures."

For information about the steam railway see www.iombusandrail.info