AN OXFORDSHIRE schoolboy has entered a competition to show off his love of trains.
14-year-old Charles Jones put on his best voice and school shirt and tie to enter into Great Western Railway’s Train Manager announcement contest.
In it the Burford student, who lives in Bampton, perfectly detailed a full journey from London Paddington to Frome – a train that pitstops at Reading on the way.
He was one of hundreds of youngsters to enter the competition – in which prizes include a special ‘entertrainment pack’ with train top trumps and a jigsaw.
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Now the shortlist will be drawn up by a panel of judges to whittle it down to the final three.
The voice behind the iconic ‘mind the gap’ announcement, David Sheppard, is on the panel.
Mr Sheppard, who is also a BBC radio presenter said there was a ‘very high standard of entries’.
He said: “This was such a great idea to help home-schooling parents keep their children entertained and I’m only too pleased to help judge the competition. There’s a high calibre of entries so it’s going to be a tough task whittling them down.”
Last month it was made mandatory to wear face masks on all public transport, or face a £100 fine.
Read more: everything you need to know about the new face mask rules
As part of the strict new rules train staff are reminding passengers to travel at quierter times where possible, wash your hands and buy tickets online or through the app.
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