BUSY Bees youngsters recently paid a visit to Ledbury train station, as part of their latest project, which is looking at transport.

And top of the children's wish list was to a see a real-life train in action.

The children had already looked at photographs on the iPads of trains, stations and Ledbury train station in particular, but they wanted more.

Busy Bees manager, Emma Davis said: "The children walked really sensibly, chatting away excitedly about what they were going to see.

"When we arrived at the station, we waited patiently in the shelter for the train to arrive. It was a little late so we listened to the announcements made by the station master. We were delighted when we heard the sound of the train in the distance and cheered when it appeared through the tunnel."

She added: "Afterwards, we visited the signal hut where we met the signal master. He kindly showed us around and the children were fascinated that it was like a little 'home' with a cooker, sink, toilet and kettle. The children were very lucky to be given the chance to operate some of the levers. Some of them controlled the levers which altered the signals and others pulled the ones which changed the track. We even got to press the bell which signalled that a train was on its way to Malvern."

Before they left, the children also had a look around the ticket office and the youngsters were very interested to see photographs of old steam trains from bygone times.