A TINY train enthusiast is on track to land a dream job after having a working birthday on the railway.

Robert Ashman spent his fifth birthday on Saturday as a guard at Kirklees Light Railway.

Young Robert's obsession with the Clayton West railway has already seen him travel the equivalent of Huddersfield to Monte Carlo, or about 1,500 miles, on the narrow gauge rails.

He travels on the train every weekend and at least one weekday - and has done so since he was just 18 months old.

He often goes on the trips with his nan, Florence Appleby, who lives in Clayton West.

Railway general manager Adrian Moss said they wanted to do something special for Robert.

He added: "We racked our brains to do something for him before deciding on this.

"Normally guards can be trained only at 16 but we thought if we can't make an exception for Robert who can we make one for?

"He probably knows every inch of the track."

Mr Moss said Adam was handed the responsibility of blowing the whistle and holding the green flag as well as looking after train and passengers.

He added: "He coped very well.

"Hopefully we can encourage him to join us as a bona fide volunteer when he's old enough - in 2016."