THOUSANDS of excited youngsters and their families and friends will be stepping on board the traditional Severn Valley Santa Steam Specials this year despite the devastating damage caused to the line in the July floods.

The annual festive rail service, which includes a visit to Father Christmas in his grotto for the children, has been modified this year due to the £3 million of damage caused to the track north of Bewdley.

The Santa Specials normally run from Kidderminster to Arley, calling at Bewdley, where families can alight and enjoy refreshments and a visit to Santa in his grotto.

However Father Christmas has moved into the Severn Valley station at Bewdley this year to allow the festivities to go-ahead.

So far 17,000 passengers have booked up for the Christmas specials running every Saturday and Sunday in December up to Sunday December 23.

Severn Valley Railway marketing manager John Leach said: "This has exceeded all expectations. We will be running the Santa Steam Specials from Kidderminster to Bewdley to see Father Christmas in his grotto to hand out presents to children.

"We also have the evening diesel Christmas Carol trains and the Santa Herald service with Father Christmas on board.

"The response has been fantastic considering the shortened journey and we are grateful for the support of the public after what has been a difficult year for us.

"We hope to be back running the full 16-mile service from Kidderminster to Bridgnorth early in 2008."

This year's summer floods caused damage to 45 separate places along the track between Bewdley and Bridgnorth.

The Severn Valley Railway management launched an appeal in the summer which has so far raised £500,000.

It is also working with other organisations including the Heritage Lottery Fund, Advantage West midlands and the European Regional Development Fund to raise at least £2.5 million.

Separate grant funding for the Severn Valley Railways' engine house visitor and education centre at Highley in Shropshire is being certified by accountants Horwath Clark Whitehill.

Dave Darlaston, from the firm, said: The public support given to the Severn Valley Railway shows that it must be helped financially to survive through this difficult period and go on to thrive from here."