CREWE Heritage Centre will be offering a platform for an auction of sought-after steam artefacts when it opens again this weekend.

The railway museum in Vernon Way re-opened over Bank Holiday weekend, the first time it has thrown open its gates since March 2020.

Now it plans to attract even more rail devotees, who have missed out during the long pandemic-enforced closure, with a viewing day on Saturday (September 4) of memorabilia and collectibles, organised by the Railwayana Auctions UK.

Those attending will be able to inspect a wide range of LMS Jubilee nameplate and number plates from the collection of the late Kenneth Phillips.

They include 15 'Jubilee' plates, 24 shedcode plates from 'Jubilee'-stabled sheds and five named Express headboards.

'Jubilee' plate collectors are also being invited to bring their own nameplates and number plates to add to the unique display, which Mr Phillips, a former Peterborough New England shed fireman, collected from loco sheds at the end of the steam era and stored away at his home for over 60 years.

Railwayana auctioneer Neil Booth described the collection as "the find of the decade in steam locomotive collecting circles".

Saturday at the centre also sees a late afternoon visit from steam loco B1 Class 61306 Mayflower, which will be in the servicing pit all day Sunday when there will also be a classic auto display.

Admission to Crewe Heritage Centre is currently at a reduced rate of £5 for adults, while children go free.

A spokesman for Crewe Heritage Centre said: "We would just like to thank everyone who visited us last weekend and gave us a great reception for our re-opening weekend.

"We're doing it all again this weekend with a very special event on Saturday."

The auction is taking bids for the items on display by post, email and phone between Friday, September 10 and Sunday, September 12.

A shuttle bus service is running from Crewe Railway Station to the centre between 9am and 6pm on Saturday.