THE winning entry in a competition to name a new railway carriage sponsored by the Tamar Valley Tourism Association has been chosen.

The Wessex trains carriage, which is due to be launched next month, will be called the Tamar Kingfisher.

Members of the Tavata committee felt the suggestion from Mike Parriss, of Plymouth, best captured the ethos of the picturesque Tamar Valley.

?We had to make a difficult decision between a number of excellent suggestions,? said Tavata vice-chairman, David Gibbons.

?But we chose Tamar Kingfisher because we felt it reflected the beautiful and tranquil environment of the area ? and because it had the word Tamar in it, which is crucial if we want more people to get to know the Tamar Valley as a place.?

The new carriage, which will bear images of the Tamar Valley, will travel on railway lines throughout the South West, including Gloucestershire and South Wales. It will be officially launched at Bere Ferrers station on May 27.