THE test to see if the recently repaired Crofton beam engines would be ready for the traditional Easter steaming weekend was passed with flying colours on Friday following a successful inspection.

For months now, specialists from HA McEwen Ltd and volunteers have been working feverishly to repair the world's oldest working beam engines, which needed to have its corroded rivets and mechanical fastener cut out and replaced.

And on Friday morning, a British Engineering Services surveyor confirmed that the coal-fired, 22-tonne Lancashire boiler was ready for use after carrying out a safety test, checking its valves and making sure it was at the correct pressure.

"The team cannot begin to express how thrilled and excited we are that we have passed this test and this incredible machine will be steaming away once more after being out of action since September," said Jon Willis, a 10-year-long member of the Crofton branch of the Kennet and Avon Canal Trust, which owns and operates the pumping station.

"We have done an awful lot of work over the last six months. Us volunteers have doing a lot of brickwork, painting, ironwork and making the place look presentable and the team at McEwen have done a superb job doing all the technical stuff and getting it back up and running.

"So many people and groups have really got behind us too and without them raising £45,000, this would not have been possible and we have dozens of volunteers that do vital work as well.

"This place is great to explore when the engines are off but during the 20 days in the year that they are on, the place comes alive, it really is incredible. I cannot wait to see our wonderful old engines working under steam again this spring."

The historic boiler generates the steam that powers the 205-year-old engines that pump water from Crofton Water up to the Kennet and Avon Canal’s highest level – the section between Crofton and Burbage, which is above any reliable local water source.

Robin Williams, the engineering surveyor, said: "I am happy to say they passed. Our main concern is the safety of the machine and that it complies with all the health and safety requirements. It is good that they have all this work just in time for Easter."

The traditional Easter steaming weekend is scheduled for Saturday, April 15 to Monday, April 17.