ARSONISTS have damaged a building owned by the Severn Valley Railway just one day after it relaunched its passenger steam trains following a four-month lockdown.

A shelter at the Country Park Halt Station - a small request stop near Highley - was found alight on Sunday morning (August 2).

Kidderminster Shuttle: Fire crews extinguished the fire on Sunday morningFire crews extinguished the fire on Sunday morning

Crews from Cleobury and Much Wenlock Fire Stations were called to distinguish the fire at around 8.40am.

Shrewsbury station manager Craig Jackson, from Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service, said the fire was being treated as an arson attack.

It is believed a bonfire was started inside the building which then spread to the timber roof.

A police investigation is now under way and anyone with information is being asked to call West Mercia Police on 101.

Kidderminster Shuttle: The roof of the shelter suffered severe fire damageThe roof of the shelter suffered severe fire damage

The arson attack comes only a day after the Severn Valley Railway line reopened to the public.

The heritage railway has been hit hard by the coronavirus lockdown and was forced to launch a Fight Back fundraising appeal to help recover the income lost during the lockdown.

Speaking after the first passenger service left Kidderminster Station on Saturday, general manager Helen Smith said: “It has taken an incredible effort from everyone across the railway to pull together and deliver this new excursion experience for our visitors, and it’s just what we needed to get back open again in a controlled manner to ensure visitor and staff safety.

Kidderminster Shuttle: The 7714, hauling one of the SVR's reopening trains as it passes Bewdley. Photo by Bob PockneyThe 7714, hauling one of the SVR's reopening trains as it passes Bewdley. Photo by Bob Pockney

"Today we’ve witnessed a sea of smiling faces, and this tells us we’ve got it right.

“This doesn’t mean all our problems are solved because we still have a mountain to climb.

"Not only do we have a large business interruption bank loan to pay back, but we also need to work hard to make sure everyone adheres to the social distancing regulations, so we can protect our staff and visitors, and start to make money again.”

Visit svr.co.uk to book.