A DIY store in Kidderminster has helped keep essential restoration work at Severn Valley Railway (SVR) on track by donating equipment.

The town’s B&Q store donated £8,000 worth of tools to the Wyre Forest attraction, the largest donation in SVR’s history, which will also support the organisation’s Heritage Skills Training Academy.

Staff from Kidderminster B&Q were on hand at Kidderminster Station to load pallets of tools on to one of the heritage steam trains before it made the 16 mile journey along the 150-year-old route to Bridgnorth.

Nick Ralls, SVR’s general manager, said the donation was a very welcome boost to its ongoing projects.

“Preserving such a historic and well used attraction for the 200,000 visitors who travel each year with us is a constant challenge,” he said.

“It is a costly task but one made easier by generous donations such as this one. We are all very grateful.”

Apprentices from the railway’s skills training academy, who were also presented with their own personal tool kit, will now start work at SVR’s Locomotive Works in Bridgnorth.

Sam James, deputy manager of B&Q Kidderminster, said: “The Severn Valley Railway is a jewel in Worcestershire’s crown and we are thrilled to be able to lend our support to ensure that this remarkable infrastructure is preserved for the future.

“It’s wonderful to see the next generation of railway engineers gathered here and we wish all the apprentices lots of luck as they embark on their exciting new careers along this beautiful stretch of English countryside.”