A MONTH'S wages of an apprentice with Severn Valley Railway have been paid by a charity supporting long-term maintenance of the company's stock.

Tim Davis, 18, of Broadwaters, benefited from the SVR Rolling Stock Trust's contribution of £1,200 that paid his wages as well as subsidising restoration materials.

The cash enabled Mr Davis to receive training in carriage bodywork repairs, door and door-lock overhauls and the correct ways to use paints and primers on different metals.

He also learned care in dealing with hazardous substances. Some of his newly acquired skills will help him towards qualification for critical safety work on the main railway line.

Mr Davis spent four weeks working in the railway's Kidderminster paintshop, helping to refurbish one of the two dining cars used on the Severn Valley Venturer.

Hugh McQuade, SVR Rolling Stock Trust's spokesman, said: "It's part of our mission statement to help provide education and skills training to ensure the long-term maintenance and operation of the SVR collection.

"By picking up the bill for Tim's wages and materials for a month, we have met this aim while, at the same time, saving the SVR company more than £1,200.

"We plan to fund a second apprentice to work on restoring a further carriage in the next few weeks."

The charity was formed in 2002 to protect the collection of SVR locomotives, carriages and wagons.

More than 30 registered charities and volunteer groups support SVR.

They range from small groups of just two or three supporters who own and maintain goods wagons to the Severn Valley Railway Association, which has 13,000 members who staff the railway and raise funds for specific projects.