A CREATIVE youngster from Worcester has seen her design adopted as the official Severn Valley Railway 50th birthday card.

Millie Blewitt, aged 11, from Worcester won the SVR’s ‘Design us a Birthday Card’ competition – to create a special card to mark the Railway’s Golden Jubilee.

Her design, a locomotive carrying the special anniversary header board and crossing a bridge, was picked from more than 200 entries submitted by children across the region between February and May.

The talented youngster went to the Railway with her mum Gemma Schoolcraft, Dad Phil Blewitt and sister Poppy Blewitt to present her design to the founding members of the SVR during a day of celebrations to mark the attraction’s official 50th Anniversary.

Her colourful artwork will now be on display in The Engine House Visitor Centre as part of the new SVR 50th Anniversary exhibition

Millie, who will be going to Tudor Grange Academy in September, visits the SVR several times a year with her Grandad.

Her mum Gemma explained: “We come to the Railway about four times a year and always have a great time – it is the girls’ fun day out – a total ‘spoil them’ day.

“Her design was created during one of these family days with her Grandad, myself and her little sister Poppy – she was doodling on the train as it went over a bridge along the journey and that is what gave her the idea.

“She is so happy and excited to have won and can’t wait until the summer holidays so that she can enjoy a fun day out on the Railway.”

Clare Gibbard, the SVR’s marketing and communications manager, said: “It was a tough decision to pick a winner from so many lovely designs, but we just felt that Millie’s captured the colour and magic of a day out on the Railway."

More than 100 of the Railway’s founding members gathered on Monday, July 6 to celebrate 50 years to the day that the group of young railway enthusiasts gathered in the Coopers Arms in Kidderminster and decided to re-open the line, which was closed in 1963.

Celebrations will continue on Friday, July 17th, when SVR supporters will gather for a special dinner at West Midland Safari Park.