Duke visits flood damaged railway

The Duke travelled from Bewdley to Kidderminster on a steam train

The Duke of Gloucester has visited the flood-damaged Severn Valley Railway to see how repair work is progressing.

The railway, which runs between Kidderminster in Worcestershire and Bridgnorth in Shropshire, was damaged by heavy rain in 40 places in June.

Three quarters of the 16-mile (26km) line remains closed.

The duke, who has been patron of the railway since 1998, travelled from Bewdley to Kidderminster on a steam train - the only section still open.

Six homes in Worcestershire were also evacuated shortly after the flooding over fears of further landslides by the track.

Torrential rain in June caused the damage to the historic line

The estimated cost for full repairs has been put at £2.6m.

Last month, officials said an appeal to raise money for repairs had reached £415,000 from public donations.

A band has also written a song to help raise money.

Highway Dave and The Varmints, from Stourbridge in the West Midlands, will donate all profits from Ride the Lion, which is available via their website.

A train called the Stourbridge Lion was made in the area in the 19th Century.