Events to mark the centenary of the closure of a north Pembrokeshire railway line will take place this weekend.

The Fishguard & North Pembrokeshire railway line was earmarked for closure as part of the war effort in 1917. Its rails and sleepers were due to be sent to France and many of the trains were to be shipped there too in preparation for the great spring push of that year.

After protests from local farmers, who were worried was that the removal of the railway would badly damage their business, only the section from Maenclochog to Letterston saw the track lifted, with the most affected communities being Puncheston and Little Newcastle.

However, after the war, the line was re-opened in stages and by 1923 was running to Letterston again.

The four communities affected by the 1917 closure were Little Newcastle, Maenclochog, Puncheston and Rosebush. They have organised a series events to mark this important centenary in their joint histories:

On Friday, January 20, a film on the history of the line, produced by pupils of Ysgol Casmael, Puncheston School, will be shown at 7pm. There will be a small admission charge.

On Saturday, January 21. A brief talk by Emyr Phillips will take place in the morning, followed by a guided walk along the track bed as far as Maenclochog Tunnels. Walkers should meet at Maenclochog Community Hall at 10am.

Afterwards there is an opportunity to buy lunch at Tafarn Sinc, Rosebush, advance booking is essential. In the afternoon Peter Claughton will lead a walk around the Rosebush Quarries leaving at 2pm from Tafarn Sinc.

On the afternoon of Sunday, January 22, there will be a 1662 Prayer Book Evensong at 2pm St Peter's Church, Little Newcastle, when Marilyn Lewis' Cor Jemima will perform. The service will be followed by a cottage tea at the village's Old School, priced at £3.

For further details contact Alun Ifans at alunifans@hotmail.com or on 01437 532603.