A VOLUNTEER involved with a book store which has raised £250,000 for Minehead station says it could take just a decade to reach the £½m mark.

Readers Halt started out selling donated second-hand books on a station barrow in 1998 and has exceeded all expectations since.

In 14 years, the money generated from the store has gone towards repairs, refurbishing, building and painting everything from the platform canopy to toilets.

Friends of Minehead Station chairman Martyn Snell has been involved with the store from the outset and has high hopes for its future.

He said: “It’s quite incredible really – this is a mind-blowing figure. We have had to make the shop bigger on two occasions because of its success.

“The amount we are taking keeps increasing year on year, so I don’t think it will take 14 years to make another £250,000 – maybe ten.

“It has been a real team effort – more than ten volunteers help out in various ways. We try to have two people manning the shop every day, although it’s not always possible.

“All the books and magazines are donated and our customers tend to buy a book for the time they are here on holiday and then bring it back again so we can re-sell it. We are so grateful to everyone who donates and volunteers.”

Money is already set aside to complete fencing around the station and the next target is to refurbish the toilets in November 2013, which will cost between £40,000 and £50,000.

West Somerset Railway general manager Paul Conibeare said: “It is a remarkable achievement. We have a super Grade II listed building and without that level of support we just wouldn’t have been able to do that.

“It is fantastic and is helping to restore the station to its Great Western glory.”

Readers Halt is open every day from 10am to 4pm. For more information, call 01643-704996.