THE Severn Valley Railway is planning to refurbish two of its carriages following a successful link-up with a building society.

An initiative with the West Bromwich Building Society has netted the railway a bonus windfall of £1,600 just 12 months after being set up.

The Severn Valley Branch Account is an example of the Community Account scheme, which started five years ago with the aim of helping groups raise money for community projects and giving members competitive savings rates.

And the scheme has so far attracted 125 savers, with the building society paying the railway the equivalent of one per cent of the gross interest on the average balance held.

SVR commercial manager Andrew Harding said: "We are delighted by the response we have had from railway enthusiasts who have supported this scheme."