Cottesmore heritage railway museum Rocks by Rail: The Living Ironstone Museum has announced it will be reopening in early July.

The trustees of the volunteer-run museum decided not to reopen last year after the first coronavirus lockdown, although some socially-distanced volunteers undertook work in preparation to welcome back visitors in 2021.

Now the popular attraction has announced it will open its doors again on Sunday, 4 July.

A spokesman for Rocks by Rail said: "Having had due regard to Government guidance on mitigation measures associated with the spread of the Covid virus, the rate at which the mass vaccination programme is being rolled out [and] the current position on delayed museum projects due to lockdown, the museum's trustees have agreed that the museum will re-open to visitors from Sunday, 4 July.

"This will provide time to welcome the museum's volunteers back, undertake refresher staff training and competency testing for railway staff, complete outstanding major infrastructure projects whilst also selecting a timeline that provides sufficient scope for the majority of the museum's staff and visitors to have received all of their vaccinations.

"With the new start date in mind the museum has now drawn up a revised programme for the remainder of the season.

"It has been decided to include the 2020 postponed events in the revised programme for 2021."

The open days programme:

Sunday, 4 July – Diesel Driver for a Fiver

Sunday, 18 July –Take a trip on The Rutlander train and Cement Quarry Railway Day

Sunday, 1 August – Diesel Driver for a Fiver

Sunday, 15 August – Take a trip on the Rutlander train and exhibition commemorating anniversary of end of WW2 Digging for Victory: Rutland's Ironstone Quarries

Sunday, 29 August – Take a trip on The Rutlander train and display marking anniversary of liberation of Far Eastern Prisoners of War 1945

Monday, 30 August –Take a trip on the Rutlander train and Ironstone Quarry Railway Day

Sunday, 5 September – Diesel Driver for a Fiver

Sunday, 19 September – Take a trip on The Rutlander train and Oxfordshire Ironstone Quarry Railway Day

Sunday, 3 October – Diesel Driver for a Fiver

Sunday, 17 October – Take a trip on The Rutlander train and final day of exhibition on Corby's Ironstone quarries.