Bosses at Severn Valley Railway are launching an emergency appeal to raise around £500,000 for re-pair work following the devastating flash floods this week.

But they revealed today that the track might not be fully open until September following an emergency meeting. More holes are being found along the line and heavy rain is forecast this weekend.

But it will not dampen the spirits of staff and volunteers who are already rallying around to arrange this weekend’s annual 1940s event.

A shortened service will now run between Bewdley and Kidderminster stations this and next weekend.

Offers of help and cash from the public are already flooding into the administration office at Bewdley station.

Heritage railways from across the country have also offered their support and bosses are confident they can raise the funds to get back on track.

Marketing manager John Leach said he expected the line to reopen between Bewdley and Arley by the end of July and the section between Bridgnorth and Hampton Loade to be up and running by the end of August.

Specialist contractors will have to be brought in to repair the damage which left parts of the track hanging in mid air.

Mr Leach said: “We need all the help we can get and it’s going to take a lot of hard work.”