A LOCOMOTIVE driver at the Severn Valley Railway has retired after more than 50 years of service.

John Giles said his time at the heritage railway has been "wonderful."

Mr Giles has also driven iconic locomotives including the Flying Scotsman and Tornado during his career.

Mr Giles was born in Oldbury and moved to Bewdley in 1973.

After leaving school, Mr Giles first trained to become a mechanical engineer.

After first joining the Severn Valley Railway Society in 1967, he progressed to become a driver in 1971.

He told The Shuttle: "It’s been a pretty fantastic time.

"The railway has a 75-year age limit for drivers. I would carry on if I could.

"I qualified as a fireman at the beginning of 1969. I was on the footplate of the railway in 1970.

"A year later I was promoted to a driver - I was 22 years old".

Severn Valley Railway managing director Jonathan ‘Gus’ Dunster said: “We are so grateful to John for all his many years of service on the footplate and elsewhere on the SVR.

"And we’re pleased that he’s going to continue to volunteer for this wonderful railway, where his time and knowledge will be much appreciated.”