BORIS Johnson says Llangollen Railway has a “fabulous future” ahead of it after the coronavirus crisis.

He made the prediction during today’s Prime Minister Minister’s Questions after Clwyd South MP Simon Baynes invited him to ride one of its steam trains when the lockdown ends.

The exchange between Mr Johnson in Parliament and Mr Baynes online came after the railway announced on Facebook on Wednesday that its public appeal and share issue to help it survive the closure made necessary by Covid-19 had reached about £75,000.

In his question Mr Baynes said: “The hospitality and tourism businesses in my constituency are vital for the health of its local economy, of which a very good example is the Llangollen steam railway.

“Will the Prime Minister join me in congratulating them on their current a fundraising campaign designed to see them through the coronavirus crisis and after that crisis is over would he please pop on board one of their steam trains when he is next in Llangollen?”

The Prime Minister replied: “I have a picture at home of myself and William Hague aboard the Llangollen Steam Railway, I am proud to say, and I congratulate them on what they are doing to raise funds and I have no doubt they have a fabulous future ahead with his [Simon Baynes’s] support.”

Responding to the Prime Minister’s Questions exchange on Facebook, Llangollen Railway posted: “Simon, thank you for your question during Prime Minister’s Question time, it was great to hear and also great to hear the Prime Minister has a picture of him on Llangollen Railway.”