A GIANT pasty was used as the centrepiece of a promotion highlighting the Tamar Valley, South East Cornwall and their scenic railway branch lines last week at London's Paddington Station.

Entitled 'Wouldn't you rather be on this train?', the event aimed to encourage some of the 139,000 passengers who use Paddington daily to swap their usual commuter service for trains on the scenic Tamar Valley and Looe Lines.

South East Cornwall MP Colin Breed met with members of South East Cornwall Tourism Association, the Tamar Valley Tourist Association and the Devon and Cornwall Rail Partnership at the station to promote tourism in the constituency to rail users.

The stall was located in a prominent position on the main concourse and was staffed by volunteers from 6am to 6pm.  It remained busy all day, with commuters stopping to guess the weight of a giant pasty, supplied by South East Cornwall baker Malcolm Barnecutt.

The event was organised by the Devon and Cornwall Rail Partnership which works to promote rural railways in the two counties and the places they serve. 

Mr Breed said: 'This was a great idea, and it was good to see so many people interested in holidaying in South East Cornwall. Leaflets were being taken faster than they could be restocked!'