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Bubbly start: Charlie Dimmock ready to break the champagne bottle at the VIP re-opening at the SVR station in Kidderminster.Picture: DEBBIE THOMSON

VOLUNTEERS and staff at Severn Valley Railway have enjoyed a successful Easter weekend following a return to full services along the 16-mile line from Kidderm-inster to Bridgnorth.

Television gardening celebrity, Charlie Dimmock, was on hand to break a celebratory bottle of champagne against the first locomotive to make the complete journey since extensive damage was caused by torrential rain and flooding last year.

John Leach, SVR marketing manager, said: "Everything has gone very well. We don't have the final figures yet but we estimate we could have had one of our best Easters ever."

"Thanks to a great deal of generosity we are back in business.

"Now we are just looking forward to getting a good season under our belts."

Mr Leach explained there was a shortfall in funding of between £150,000 and £200,000 but he was confident they would be able to bridge the gap.

He added: "People are pleased to see that we are fully operational again. It's so important for pubs and businesses along the line that we bring people back into their area."

Mick York, SVR chairman, explained it had taken both hard work and £3.55 million to be able to resume normal services.

He added: "I can confidently say we now have a better, stronger railway than we had nine months ago."

Dr Richard Taylor, Wyre Forest MP, said: "I am absolutely thrilled that the railway is fully back up and running because it is one of the most important facilities we have got."

He added SVR offered a "super" service and that the response to the public appeal had been both "amazing" and a tribute to the community, amassing £575,000.

Jeffery Baker, Wyre Forest District Council chairman, said: "SVR is part of Wyre Forest's heritage and we must support it as much as possible. Let's hope they have a long dry summer."

Heritage railway services will operate every weekend, then daily from May 3 to September 28 plus the Easter and October school holidays.

The first train for the public set off at 9.55am from Kidderminster on Good Friday.

3:41pm Tuesday 25th March 2008

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