THE East Lancashire Railway is celebrating its 20 year anniversary - with a birthday wish to see the line extended to Manchester.

The railway is only designed for trains travelling at 25 mph and commuter trains would have to reach 60mph for a viable journey from Rawtenstall to Manchester.

But members of the charity which runs the heritage railway are keen to become part of the rail network.

The wish came as the railway launched five days of celebration of 20 years of operation with a re-running of the original opening special at 11.05 from Bury to Ramsbottom yesterday.

On arrival at Ramsbottom there was an unveiling of a commemorative plaque. The train then returned to Bury and a celebration took place at The Elizabethan Suite, Bury Town Hall. Music was provided by the 25-piece Tommy Lowee Big Band.

This weekend there will be a enhanced summer timetable with steam shuttles between Bury and Ramsbottom and a steam locomotive driving experience at Rawtenstall.

A spokesman for the ELR said: "In addition to the above there will be many other attractions and events taking place around the railway - especially at weekend. A celebration DVD of the 20 years has also been produced and there will also be presentations of 20 and 30 year long service awards."

Chairman Peter Duncan said the ELR wanted to be a network railway and they had a real opportunity for expansion.

The original East Lancashire Railway opened in 1846 and continued to carry passengers until the service was withdrawn in 1972, complete closure taking effect some eight years later, after the withdrawal of the remaining freight service in December 1980.