A trip to the Severn Valley Railway Station in Upper Arley was just the ticket for pupils from the village school as they met stars from a popular television comedy series.

Su Pollard and Stephen Lewis, who are among the household names who have again converged on Arley Station to film another series of the 1960's railway comedy Oh Dr Beeching!, were delighted to meet 33 pupils and the three teachers from Upper Arley First School on Tuesday.

Headteacher Frances French said: "It was a real treat - particularly for me as I have only been at the school since January."

Meanwhile, fans of the BBC programme will enjoy an extra dose of Wyre Forest colour when the next series begins.

The new storyline features a village band booked to play at the station and Stourport Brass Band supplied the necessary musicians.

Harry Downes, band bass player, said: "I have arranged facilities for various film companies on the railway in the past.

"But involvement on the other side of the camera gave a whole new, nerve-wracking perspective to it all."

Kidderminster Shuttle
May 1997