THE Hengistbury Head land train won’t be running over half-term, BCP Council has said.

The council, which operates the service, said recent storms had left “significant levels of sand” on the promenade.

A minibus service will replace the land train during the half-term holiday.

Posting on the Hengistbury Head land train Facebook page yesterday (February 17), a spokesperson said: “Due to the recent storms which has brought significant levels of sand on to the promenade and further unsettled weather over half term, we are unable to get the Hengistbury Head train on site for the half term week.

The spokesperson added: “We would like to reassure residents and visitors that we are working on getting the service restored as soon as possible.”

The land train service was due to resume for half-term after the service ended on January 5 while the current train was taken away for its annual inspection and pre-season service.

As reported in the Daily Echo last year, the traditional Hengistbury Head noddy trains are to be sold after an investigation concluded they are not safe.