LIFE is a beach at the Severn Valley Railway this summer.

The heritage attraction has installed a specially-constructed stretch of sand at its station in Arley and visitors can now “be beside the seaside” right here in Wyre Forest.

Children and adults have already been taking advantage of the new addition, bringing buckets and spades and indulging in some quality sandcastle-building time.

Admission to the beach, which will be open every weekend in August weather-permitting, is free with any train ticket to Arley or the annual family pass.

The sandy site, nicknamed Arley-on-Sea, is part of Severn Valley Railway’s summer programme of events for children which includes the steam and whistle activity clubs.

More than 600 children attended the clubs last week (August 5 to August 8) participating in a range of arts and crafts at the Engine House Visitor Centre at Highley, while 525 youngsters learnt about dinosaurs on Tuesday and Wednesday this week.

Upcoming activities include pirate time from Tuesday, August 19 to Friday, August 22 followed by dig and discover from Tuesday, August 26 to Thursday, August 28.

Activities are free with a freedom of the line ticket and annual family pass or alternatively an entrance fee of £3.50 for children and £6 for adults can be paid at the Engine House.

For more details visit svr.co.uk