An ambitious project to transform a defunct railway line and three viaducts into a leisure trail has received a cash boost.

The Railway Heritage Trust has handed over £80,000 to help renovate Cullingworth, Hewenden and Thornton viaducts on the Queensbury to Cullingworth line.

The grant, to the Great Northern Trail Forum, follows a £68,000 donation to the project - expected to cost about £1 million - from Europe.

The work will be spearheaded on behalf of the forum by Sustrans, the national cycling charity, which has been campaigning for the six-mile line to be opened to cyclists, walkers and horse riders.

A public consultation earlier this year, involving 1,500 people, saw 98 per cent supporting the project.

Experts from English Heritage, the Institution of Civil Engineers and the English and Welsh Viaducts Committee - members of the trail forum - visited the line yesterday to view the viaducts. Two, in Hewenden and Thornton, are grade two-listed buildings and were constructed between 1876 and 1884.

Forum chairman, Jeff McQuillan said it was hoped to start the project next summer and complete it within five years.

"I'm delighted to receive this good news, so soon after receiving European funding," he said.

"It has confirmed our belief that this route is one that has tremendous recreational potential for local people, young and old, as well as providing a boost for tourism in this beautiful part of Bradford district."

A major part of the project would be to repair and weather- seal the viaducts and to make sure they were accessible to all people, including the disabled.

"We need more money but we are confident of getting it because it is such a good project, involving heritage and economic benefits, social and environmental advantages, and is in line with what the Government wants to happen nationally," he said, adding that it was important to win over the backing of landowners because the line was in several ownerships.

Sustrans member Tony Wright, singer with former Bradford band Terrorvision and keen cyclist, has been at the forefront of the campaign.

He said: "It would be a wonderful route for cyclist, walkers and horse riders. It's a really interesting route across Bradford, showing some great countryside."

The work is likely to be carried out in various sections rather than starting at one end and progressing to the other. There are also a number of tunnels and a decision has yet to be made about accommodating them along the route.

Jim Cornell , executive director of the Railway Heritage Trust said: "This is an excellent project that will provide a valuable public amenity."