Former minister turned television personality Michael Portillo steams into Suffolk and north Essex in the latest of his Great British Railway Journeys.

Next week’s trip across the country starts at Blackpool on Monday and finishes at Harwich – the destination of the Hook Continental train.

On the last leg of the journey, on Friday, he visits the Mid Suffolk Light Railway (The Middy) at Wetheringsett, Leiston Long Shop Museum and the Ipswich Waterfront before arriving at Harwich.

Ipswich Star: Stuart Grimwade of Ipswich Maritime Trust, left, with Michael Portillo on his visit to Ipswich WaterfrontStuart Grimwade of Ipswich Maritime Trust, left, with Michael Portillo on his visit to Ipswich Waterfront (Image: Archant)

At The Middy he met volunteers before getting the ultimate treat for a steam enthusiast, a ride on the footplate with some “light driving” duties under the watchful eye of driver Paul Ebsworth.

John Reeve from the Middy said everyone involved enjoyed his visit last May – even though the weather was not very good on the day.

He said: “Michael was with us for about three hours, talking to some of the volunteers and finding out why people are so enthusiastic about The Middy.

“He had a ride on the LNER Y7 and clearly enjoyed his time here. I had three e-mails from him afterwards thanking us for helping with the programme and sending us some pictures of the visit.

“The only downside was the weather wasn’t as good as it could have been, that’s why I’m in the cap!”

Organisers at The Middy are hoping Mr Portillo’s visit will encourage more visitors when it re-opens for the season. Its next open days are Easter Sunday and Monday – April 16/17.

Mr Portillo also visited Leiston Long Shop to find out from curator Anna Mercer about one of the oldest production line factories in the country.

And he took time off to visit Ipswich’s historic Waterfront with Stuart Grimwade from the Ipswich Maritime Trust.

Great British Railway Journeys are screened on BBC2 every night next week from 6.30pm.