Swanage steam railway in Dorset has been connected to the main line at Wareham - 30 years to the day after the old branch line was closed.

A golden track screw was ceremonially driven in to the last sleeper connecting the restored line with the Railtrack network on Thursday.

Volunteers have relaid 6.5 miles of track to complete the restoration.

The line is popular with tourists, many of whom stop off at visit Corfe Castle along the route.

---

Scouts plead against sell-off

Scout leaders have raised a petition against selling off the St Marychurch Town Hall in Torquay.

It is one of several historic buildings expected to be put up for sale by Torbay Council to raise an extra �1m needed for future projects.

The St Marychurch building is used by a number of community groups, including a scout troop with more than 100 members.

Scout leaders say they fear for the group's future if the building passes into private hands.

---

Revellers leave village dried out

A Christmas drought in a Devon village has been put down to excessive demand.

People in Harbertonford, in the South Hams, were dismayed to see a tanker filling the village reservoir on Boxing Day.

They have experienced severe flooding on several occasions in recent years.

---

Moor hostel plan scaled down

Plans to expand Bellever Youth Hostel on Dartmoor have been scaled down after objections that they would bring extra traffic to the centre of the moor.

The Youth Hostel Association's original proposals to increase accommodation at the long-established centre were rejected by planners last summer.

It has now submitted a reduced scheme for eight extra beds, including two rooms for disabled people.

But local objectors say increased numbers will lead to more cars driving to the hostel, in woodland away from the main road.

---

Trust defends Tor work

The National Trust has defended a decision to use concrete for a new footpath to the top of Glastonbury Tor, Somerset.

More than �300,000 has been found to pay for the restorations at the Tor.

Huge visitor numbers have led to erosion on the existing route up the hill - the Isle of Avalon of ancient legend.

But conservationists say the path should be re-laid with wood chippings, not concrete.