MORE people flocked to the Severn Valley Railway last year than ever before, new figures show.

An extra 12,000 visitors got on board the heritage line during 2003, pushing the grand total to a massive 248,760.

Takings were also up by six per cent to £4 million following a packed year of "online" celebrations, which included events with Thomas the Tank Engine, Christmas and 1940s themes.

Staff were "absolutely elated" with the news, said SVR commercial manager Andrew Harding.

He said: "We work very hard. We knew we were going to get a record as early as May when we had our first Thomas the Tank Engine weekend.

"Word of mouth is growing. It is now one of the top entertainments in the Worcestershire and Shropshire area.

"There is a renaissance in history. People are very keen on British history and we are going to capitalise on that this year with educational programmes."

Mr Harding said the company - which has run classic steam engines for 34 years on the Kidderminster to Bridgnorth line - was facing a testing year with some vital maintenance work set to disrupt services.

All the line, except between Bridgnorth and Highley, will be closed from February 23 until April 2 for a £250,000 refurbishment of the Victoria Bridge at Arley.

The release of the record figures comes just a week after the company said it had clocked up a total 1.5 million miles in train journeys since the line opened.