THE CHILDREN’S favourite characters Peppa Pig and Daddy Pig are the stars of the show at a Severn Valley Railway (SVR) Family Fun Weekend.

Peppa Pig and Daddy Pig will appear at intervals on May 9 and 10 at The Engine House Visitor Centre at Highley. Families can also enjoy magic shows from A Box of Tricks, see their favourite Peppa Pig episodes on a special cinema screen and burn off some energy on the outdoor play area and play tables.

Kids can get groovy at Kidderminster, with a children’s disco by Disco Daddy at regular intervals throughout the day, or head to Arley to get active in the Let off Steam zone, with large bouncy castle and under fives inflatable play area or ride some waves on the surf simulator.

There’s more bouncing to be done on the bouncy castle at Bridgnorth, where youngsters can also enjoy arts and crafts activities and face painting.

Families can also enjoy a ride on The Coal Yard Miniature Railway at Kidderminster for a small additional charge, while the Paddock Garden Railway will be open at Hampton Loade on the Sunday.

The new SVR 50th Anniversary exhibition, taking people on a journey through the first half-century of the railway, will also be on display at the Engine House Visitor Centre for families to explore.

Kids can also sort the mail in the Travelling Post Office, marvel at the impressive King George VI Royal Carriage and see the Railway’s reserve collection of full-size steam locomotives.

The SVR’s marketing and communications manager, Clare Gibbard, said: “Our family fun weekends are always a sell-out and this year we’re very much looking forward to welcoming Daddy Pig alongside Peppa, who remains as popular as ever with families.

“There is also a whole host of other activities taking place along the railway during the weekend so families can enjoy a jam-packed day out, whatever the weather.”

The SVR, which welcomes more than 200,000 visitors a year and is among the UK’s most popular and much-loved historical attractions is celebrating its golden jubilee with a range of events. These include the new ‘Sounds of the 60s’ celebration on Saturday August 15 and it has just enjoyed a visit from HRH The Princess Royal.

It is largely run by a dedicated band of around 1,500 volunteers and has six beautifully maintained stations on the 16-mile route between Kidderminster and Bridgnorth.

For more information on up-coming events, activities and bookings, visit www.svr.co.uk, call 01562 757900 or visit the Severn Valley Railway Families Facebook page.