A FESTIVAL begins on Friday to mark the opening the world's first mainline passenger railway in the North West.

The Liverpool & Manchester Railway opened 175 years ago and revolutionised passenger travel.

To celebrate the historic milestone, the Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester is hosting the festival, "Riot of Steam", at the site of the world's oldest surviving passenger railway station on Liverpool Road.

Top billing in the four day event will be given to some of the early "stars" of steam including Stephenson's Rocket, Hackworth's Sans Pareil and Braithwaite and Ericsson's Novelty.