TWO visitors to the Severn Valley Railway received a sparkling surprise after becoming the first winners of the famous attraction's Golden Ticket competition.

Gail and Chris Dovey, from Tenbury Wells were named the first lucky winners after heading to purchase tickets at the SVR's Kidderminster Station booking office on Wednesday.

The couple were in for a surprise when it was announced that one of the tickets they were about to purchase had been previously selected at random as a 'golden ticket' - winning them the chance to enjoy a one-off VIP experience day at the railway.

The delighted visitors were coming to spend a day out at the railway with their daughter-in-law, Joanna Partyka and grandchildren Olivia (seven) and Alexander (three) who were visiting them from California.

As part of the SVR's 50th anniversary celebrations, four golden tickets have been 'hidden' for visitors to discover until December 24 – two at booking offices, one within information packs posted out with tickets purchased online or over the phone and one on the Severn Valley Railway Families Facebook page.

The lucky winner of the ticket, plus one guest, will be able to enjoy a unique VIP experience day at the SVR, including breakfast at the Valley Suite at Kidderminster, a guided, behind-the-scenes tour of the Works at Bridgnorth and the chance to see the inner workings of a signal box, plus other areas on request.

Winners will also gain free admission to The Engine House Visitor Centre, a leisurely lunch on an observation saloon while travelling through the Severn Valley countryside and an open-air ride on the footplate of one of the SVR's heritage steam locomotives before heading back to their seats to indulge in an afternoon tea.

If all that were not enough, they will also receive a bottle of bubbly and goodies from the SVR gift shop as well as an exclusive SVR family pass, allowing unlimited travel on the railway for three years.

Mr and Mrs Dovey were presented with their golden tickets and given free tickets for their day's visit for themselves and their family.

Mrs Dovey said: "We are absolutely delighted to have won a golden ticket – what a lovely surprise!

"Our son, daughter-in-law and grandchildren are currently visiting us from California and this was to be our grandchildren's last treat before they return. Our grandson Alexander absolutely loves trains so is very excited – he'll enjoy more trips on the SVR in future, using the three-year family pass prize, so that is fantastic."

Clare Gibbard, the SVR's marketing and communications manager said: "We are delighted that the first golden ticket winners to claim their prize are such a lovely couple and are so excited.

"We will be in touch with them to discuss the details of their prize, and are now looking forward to when the next golden ticket is discovered. There may even be more competition announcements made in the near future, so watch this space."

Followers of the Severn Valley Families Facebook page were given the chance to scoop one of the three remaining golden tickets last month, with the name of the winner due to be announced on Facebook shortly.

The SVR is currently celebrating its Golden Jubilee- July 6, marked 50 years to the day since a group of railway enthusiasts met in their local pub and decided to re-open the line, which was closed in 1963.

Five years later, following huge amounts of hard work and money-raising, the first section of the SVR line, between Bridgnorth and Hampton Loade, was opened for public passenger services once again – and the rest, as they say, is history.

The competition will close on December 24 and the experience day prize will be arranged on a date to be confirmed, during the 2016 spring season. Terms and conditions are available at svr.co.uk.

For more information on all the SVR's events, bookings and the golden ticket competition visit svr.co.uk call 01562 757900 or visit the Severn Valley Railway Families page on Facebook.