Severn Valley Railway receives national recognition

Thousands of people voted for the 16-mile long Bridgnorth to Kidderminster attraction, which picked up Heritage Site of the Year title through the BBC Countryfile Magazine Awards.

The heritage line beat off competition from some of the UK's biggest tourist sites including London's Imperial War Museum, Georgian estate Kew Palace, Portmeirion in Wales and the prehistoric stone circle at Avebury.

The annual awards celebrate the best of the British countryside and the heritage site category shortlist is compiled by presenter Jules Hudson of the BBC's Escape to the Country, Britain's Empty Homes, Britain's Heritage Heroes and Countryfile.

Mr Hudson singled out the SVR's Heritage Skills Training Academy, which was one of a range of projects funded by the Severn Valley Railway Charitable Trust.

He praised the "fantastic conservation element" of running an apprenticeship scheme for young engineers to keep the traditional skills alive.

He also said travelling by steam train was also a "wonderful way to see the spectacular surrounding countryside".

Clare Gibbard, of SVR, said everyone involved with the railway was over the moon.

"Everyone at the railway, from our staff and volunteers, to our apprentices and dedicated fundraisers in the SVR Charitable Trust, are committed to protecting the future of this valuable heritage site.

"We also want to make it an enjoyable and memorable place for people to visit.

"For so many of the British public to vote for us in the face of some very tough competition is a wonderful recognition of the hard work and we are extremely grateful to everyone who took the time to vote for us."

"News of this award is very timely with this year being our Golden Jubilee, so this will really add the cherry on top of our celebratory anniversary cake.

"I think there may well be some added tooting of whistles as the trains head out along the line this weekend."

The railway's next event will be the Spring Steam Gala from March 20 to 22, which will mark the launch of its 50th anniversary exhibition at The Engine House Visitor Centre at Highley and kick-start a year of celebrations.

The Sounds of the '60s in August and a special Golden Ticket visitor competition have also been added to the railway's 2015 schedule.

The railway is currently looking for donations to fund its 2015 intake of apprentices. To support the trust visit www.svrtrust.org.uk

Another Midlands tourist attraction was also among the winners in the Countryfile awards. Trentham Gardens, near Stone in Staffordshire, was voted garden of the year.