Charabanc plan to boost tourism

Vintage buses or charabancs could be used to ferry people from the Severn Valley Railway Station into Kidderminster to bring more tourists to the town.

Shopkeepers and business leaders believe the move could add to the visitor experience and also help persuade people visiting the heritage steam railway to stay longer in the district.

Town Centre Partnership chairman Peter Picken said that the idea was only an extension of the 1940s weekends staged by the railway.

He said: "This would need a bit of research but people always say visitors to the Severn Valley do not take time out to walk into Kidderminster town centre.

"During the 1940s weekends the railway puts on a charabanc service.

"Several people have suggested this idea could be taken up as a regular feature with vintage buses or charabancs ferrying people up and down Comberton Hill into the town."

The idea is something he believes would appeal to Wyre Forest District Council, whose members also want to encourage tourists to stay in the district for a few days.

They want to see visitors persuaded to travel into Kidderminster during visits to the Severn Valley Railway or the West Midland Safari and Leisure Park at Bewdley.