A TV presenter was left out of breath after almost missing a train live on air.

Josie Gibson was filming a segment on the Bluebell Railway in Sussex for ITV breakfast show This Morning and was meant to be taking a trip along the historic tracks, but she only just made it to her carriage on time.

The 35-year-old was chatting to the steam train's operators when they let her know they were "ready to go".

In a panic, she found out her carriage was all the way down the other end of the station and sprinted down the platform to make sure she made it on time.

The Argus:

She was visiting the Bluebell Railway today as the line reopened to visitors for the first time since the UK was placed under lockdown.

And she was not the only special guest to visit the attraction.

In March, six-year-old Alex Venton gave all of his pocket money to an emergency appeal aiming to save the not-for-profit steam railway during its 20-week closure.

And, as a thank you, the train-mad youngster was given the opportunity to wave the green flag and blow the whistle to signal the start of his favourite railway's first journey back.

Alex's mum, Sophie Venton, said: "He read about the appeal in the railway’s newsletter and said, ‘Can I give the money from my money box?’.

The Argus:

“I said, ‘Are you sure you want to?’ because he had been saving up for a new coach for his train set, but he insisted he wanted to help."

He then offered all his saved pocket money which came to £6.10, and his mum topped up the generous donation to £20.

The family, from Petworth, were given a VIP behind-the-scenes tour of the railway’s locomotive workshops and interactive exhibition area before taking a ride on the line.

Bluebell Railway funding organiser Trevor Swainson said: "We were touched that Alex had emptied his money box because he loves trains so much, and particularly his concern that the railway might struggle as it comes out of lockdown.

The Argus:

"We have had more than 2,500 donations to the appeal, but it is stories like Alex’s that are particularly heart-warming and it makes us realise just how special the Bluebell Railway is to so many people."

And the railway line's popularity was further proven when the tickets for its first journey back were put on sale.

They sold out within ten minutes.

The reopening of the railway coincided with its 60th anniversary, and volunteers were inundated with messages from well-wishers.

These included Blackadder star and former Time Team presenter Sir Tony Robinson, TV presenter and Bluebell Railway volunteer Nicholas Owen, and toy manufacturer Hornby and the London Transport Museum.

The Bluebell Railway opened as a preserved passenger railway on August 7, 1960, and was the first heritage line of its kind in the UK. It has 11 miles of track running from Sheffield Park to East Grinstead.