The Dunster Castle Express, which takes visitors to the castle by steam train, is in operation once again and this year there’s a twist – one of the castle’s staff members could be the one stoking the fires.

House steward at the National Trust castle, Ben Williams, has recently qualified as a fireman with the West Somerset Railway (WSR) and volunteers on the engines on his days off.

The Dunster Castle Express is a joint venture between the National Trust and the WSR and is now in its fifth season.

Seamus Rogers, general manager at Dunster Castle, who is also a qualified steam locomotive driver, recently joined Ben on the footplate of a WSR engine to celebrate Ben’s achievement as they crewed a scheduled service together.

Said Seamus: "It’s great to see this partnership between two heritage attractions combining to offer visitors a really special day out.

"Passenger numbers on the service have been increasing every year and we wanted to celebrate by doing something a little different, and what better way than crewing the Express together."

Paul Conibeare, general manager at the WSR added: "We are delighted that this joint operation continues to grow in popularity. What a wonderfully unique way for visitors to spend their day, steaming back to history."

The steam-hauled Dunster Castle Express runs from Bishops Lydeard to Dunster Station, where a coach then transports visitors to the castle. The service runs every Wednesday and Saturday until October 31.