THE Rt Hon Michael Portillo has been appointed president of the Friends of the Settle-Carlisle Line (FoSCL).

Mr Portillo, who presents the television series ‘Great Railway Journeys,’ played an important role in saving the line from closure after he was appointed Minister of State for Transport in 1988.

The line was saved in April 1989. Mr Portillo succeeds Sir William McAlpine, who died earlier this year.