GRAHAM Hurd has got every young lad's dream for Christmas - his own giant train set!

The 23-year-old has just signed the contract handing him the reins at Kirklees Light Railway in Clayton West.

And he is determined it is full steam ahead for the future.

Graham spotted the railway was up for sale while he was browsing the internet almost a year ago and recognised the potential immediately.

"I was very interested so came to have a look. It is already a great tourist attraction, but I am determined to make it even better.

"I have money to spend and lots of plans to make the railway a really great family day out."

Graham, originally from Newport, in South Wales, is about to complete a masters degree in management development in leisure and tourism from Liverpool John Moores University.

Then he plans to leave the bed and breakfast in Thurstonland he has called home for the past two months and move to the railway.

"I will be living here and working here, so it is an exciting time for me personally," said the budding businessman.

"At present the majority of people come and spend about an hour here whereas I want them to spend about three or four hours.

"To do this I am looking to add attractions. I want to offer more and more to the visitors.

"Of course this won't happen overnight, but I have a plan and I intend to move the railway forward into the future.

"I am working very closely with Kirklees Council's tourism officers who have been brilliant."

The 15-year-old light railway was founded and managed by Brian Taylor until Graham made his offer.

The railway was up for sale with a price tag of £1m, but details of the price remain undisclosed.

And in the past few weeks Brian has been showing Graham the ropes.

"I have been working here helping out for a few weeks just to get a taste for things," he said.

"The staff and volunteers do such a great job.

"We are planning a big party for the hand over of the management to me. On January 1 and 2 there will be all kinds of things going on from magicians to electric go-karts for the kids - and of course the trains."