IT was full steam ahead for more than 200 Bewdley pupils who boarded a private train for the day to celebrate the 25th anniversary of their school.

Youngsters from St Anne's First braved the blazing summer heat for a trip along the Severn Valley Railway, which staff hired in honour of the school's silver jubilee.

Eight classes were each given a carriage on the train which - once the front carriage was decked with a ceremonial name plate - made its way from Bewdley to Bridgnorth and then back to Arley.

Headteacher Geoff Bayley said: "When we got to Arley we had a picnic on the grass and then a game of rounders. We also took children to see the signal box and the booking office."

As the train made its way to Kidderminster, the children were given one last surprise as 300 ice creams were passed throughout the carriages bringing a much needed drop in temperature to the sun baked youngsters.

Mr Bayley said: "It was a lovely day. It was quite hot but the children coped really well and had the time of their lives."

The headteacher, who has been at the Wyre Hill school for 13 years, paid tribute to a "very happy place", which first opened on August 31 1978.

He said: "We are closely associated with the church and it is a relationship we want to keep with it and with the community."

However, Mr Bayley remained tight-lipped on the review of schools being carried out by Worcestershire County Council, which could see a shake up at St Anne's.

He said: "We are not involved in "fighting for our survival" at the moment."