THE world's oldest privately-owned light railway could be set to move after the school on which it runs will merge.

The Downs Light Railway at Colwall has been on the grounds of the Downs School since it opened in 1925.

However, The Downs announced this week it was merging with the nearby Elms School, located just over a mile away.

Following the announcement, Timothy Pennock, chairman of the DLR, said discussions had taken place about the railway continuing as part of the new Elmsdown School.

In an update to supporters of the DLR Trust, he wrote: "The Downs Malvern has engaged with the Downs Light Railway Trust from the earliest opportunity and wishes the Downs Light Railway to continue in an educational role with the new Elmsdown Malvern school.

"The disposition of The Downs Malvern site is yet to be determined.

"However, the Downs Light Railway will continue to engage, educate, and involve our community throughout the grounds of The Downs Malvern site for the immediate future.

"We would like to reassure everyone that we are committed to delivering the objects of the Downs Light Railway Trust, reaffirmed by our recent incorporation with the Charity Commission.

"This announcement potentially offers additional dimensions to our programme, increasing the opportunities and benefits.

"Over the next coming months, we will be working with The Downs Malvern to reappraise our plans as their development matures."

The railway was opened in 1925 by then-headmaster of The Downs Geoffrey Hoyland.

It currently allows pupils to build, operate and maintain a working railway.

The Downs announced this week it would be merging with the Elms School, also in Colwall.

The move sees the Elms come under the umbrella of Malvern College, which the Downs Already forms part of.

The two prep-schools will merge into a new "Elmsdown" from September 2022, working from the same site from 2023.

Keith Metcalfe, headmaster of Malvern College, said: "We are delighted to be welcoming The Elms into our growing family of schools.

"Our commitment to developing outstanding young people with the skills, resilience and initiative to flourish in a rapidly changing global landscape starts from a young age.

"The Elms shares our values and we look forward to working together in the best interests of everyone in our school community."