The Wrekin Giant chosen as name for Shropshire-to-London train launch

We asked our readers to name the train that will take passengers on the inaugural journey. And almost 2,000 readers voted for the name they wanted to be cast into a nameplate which will be seen travelling across the UK.

The Wrekin Giant - 676 votes (37.3%)

The Flying Salopian - 469 votes (25.8)

Floreat Salopia - 353 votes (19.5%)

Wilfred Owen - 219 votes (12.1%)

Evolution - 96 votes (5.3%)

The service will mark the end of a hard-fought campaign for a direct rail service between Shropshire and the capital.

Toni Sian Williams, 27, of Telford, put forward the winning name the The Wrekin Giant, which received an impressive 676 votes.

She was among a number of readers who believed The Wrekin Giant would be the perfect name.

Shropshire Star editor Martin Wright said: "We've had an absolutely tremendous response to this competition which demonstrates just how strongly people feel about the direct link to London."

The service between Shropshire and Euston Station will be launching on December 14 after a hard-fought campaign for a direct rail service from Shrewsbury to the capital.

We received almost 2,000 entries from people suggesting names for the train and last week shortlisted five, which were selected by judges.

Toni Sian Williams, 27, was picked as the representative of the winning name. Toni, of Lightmoor Village in Telford, said she felt "privileged" that so many people had voted for the name. It will be cast on to a nameplate, which will then be unveiled at a naming ceremony on December 15 – the day after the new rail service begins.

She said: " The Wrekin is a very popular icon of our area and I'm proud that the name will be seen all over the country.

"The new rail service is a blessing and I will be one of the many business people to benefit from it."

Ms Williams, who is a freelance illustrator, said she loved the story of The Wrekin Giant so much that she illustrated a book about the legend. She added: "People adore the story. It's an ancient myth that belongs to Shropshire, it's well known by the people of Shropshire and is even talked about and learnt about in local schools still today.

"In the story, Shrewsbury, Telford and Wellington are all mentioned and play a big part, and relates to the people of the county. This is where the story is set and where the giant travels through, showing a journey.

"Also most people from Shropshire will speak of how seeing The Wrekin reminds them of coming 'home' from whatever adventure they may have been on, and it's true, its a very iconic feature."

She added: "The same aspect can be said about leaving Shropshire for the journey ahead, most people will pass The Wrekin in many directions, so again its this theory of travel and home that only belongs to the people of Shropshire when they see The Wrekin."

Richard Stanton, of Virgin Trains, said: "The response to the competition and the voting has been overwhelming. The readers of the Shropshire Star have come up trumps again.

"Five strong choices and we are proud to unveil The Wrekin Giant as the name of the train next month."

Anne Grant, customer experience manager of Virgin Trains, said that Virgin was grateful to the Shropshire Star and – most of all – to people across the region who had got behind the calls for the new railway service.

She said: "This wouldn't have happened without the support of the readers of the Shropshire Star.

"They were integral to the whole process and it's our chance to say thank you.

"We look forward to welcoming as many of you as possible on to the trains in the coming weeks and months."