ORGANISERS of Severn Valley Railway’s (SVR) education programme are celebrating after hitting the 200,000-visitor milestone.

Since its implementation in 1999, SVR has welcomed schoolchildren from across the country and is now considered one of the UK’s leading providers of education programmes within the heritage sector.

The railway takes visitors on a nostalgic trip back in time, with a steam train ride along the Severn Valley and each education programme includes a trip on one of SVR’s steam locomotives.

Schools are offered programmes including the Second World War-themed experiences, We’ll Meet Again, Life on the Home Front and Dig for Victory, which cover aspects of life from wartime.

The schools programme runs during May, June, July and September, with additional activities taking place over the summer for Scout and Guide groups and community schools.

Sharon Harvey, SVR's education officer, said: “Our WWII events always prove incredibly popular with schools, as do all of our trips, including those that run in conjunction with our event partners.

"We are fortunate to always receive great feedback from visiting schools and to hit the 200,000 visitor milestone is a huge achievement and testament to the staff and volunteers who help make these events so successful.”