TWO visitors to the Severn Valley Railway received a sparkling surprise after becoming the first winners of the attraction’s golden ticket competition.

Gail and Chris Dovey, of Tenbury Wells, were named the lucky winners when they headed to the railway's Kidderminster Station booking office on Wednesday, August 12.

The couple were in for a surprise when it was announced that one of the tickets they were about to purchase had been previously selected at random as a golden ticket – winning them the chance to enjoy a one-off VIP experience day at the historic railway.

The delighted visitors were coming to spend a day out at the railway with their daughter-in-law Joanna Partyka and grandchildren Olivia, seven, and Alexander, three, who were visiting them from California.

As part of the railway's 50th anniversary celebrations, four golden tickets have been ‘hidden’ for visitors to discover until Christmas Eve – two at booking offices, one within information packs posted out with tickets purchased online or over the phone and one on the Severn Valley Railway Families Facebook page.

The lucky winner of the ticket, plus one guest, will be able to enjoy a unique VIP experience day, including breakfast at the valley suite at Kidderminster, a guided, behind-the-scenes tour of the works at Bridgnorth and the chance to see the inner workings of a signal box, plus other areas on request.

Winners will also gain free admission to The Engine House Visitor Centre, a leisurely lunch on an observation saloon while travelling through the Severn Valley countryside and an open-air ride on the footplate of one of the railway's heritage steam locomotives before heading back to their seats to indulge in an afternoon tea.

If all that were not enough, they will also receive a bottle of bubbly and goodies from the gift shop as well as an exclusive Severn Valley Railway family pass, allowing unlimited travel on the railway for three years.

Mr and Mrs Dovey were presented with their golden tickets and given free tickets for their day’s visit for themselves and their family.

Mrs Dovey said: “We are absolutely delighted to have won a golden ticket – what a lovely surprise.

“Our son, daughter-in-law and grandchildren are currently visiting us from California and this was to be our grandchildren’s last treat before they return.

"Our grandson Alexander absolutely loves trains so is very excited – he’ll enjoy more trips on the Severn Valley Railway in the future, using the three-year family pass prize, so that is fantastic.”

Clare Gibbard, marketing and communications manager at the visitor attraction, added: “We are delighted that the first golden ticket winners to claim their prize are such a lovely couple and are so excited.

“We will be in touch with them to discuss the details of their prize and are now looking forward to when the next golden ticket is discovered.

"There may even be more competition announcements made in the near future, so watch this space.”

Followers of the Severn Valley Families Facebook page were given the chance to scoop one of the three remaining Golden Tickets last month, with the name of the winner due to be announced on Facebook shortly.

For more details visit svr.co.uk