THE Tamar Valley Line this week beat stiff competition to scoop two top titles at the first ever National Community Rail Awards held in Norwich last Friday. Devon and Cornwall Rail Partnership won the Best marketing of Community Rail Award for their Tamar Valley Line carnet tickets, plus the Best Overall Award for diversity and ongoing development. In addition, the Tamar Belle Heritage Centre at Bere Ferrers gained a second place in the Best Heritage Scheme category. Ian Pethers of Glenrock Studios at Drakewalls was highly commended for his work in the Best Community Rail Image. Richard Burningham, manager of the partnership, said: ?We are absolutely delighted to bring these awards back to Devon and Cornwall. It is great to have such national recognition for the work we do to promote and enhance the rural railways of the two counties.? The line?s success at the awards follows last week?s announcement by rail minister Derek Twigg that the line was to be designated a Community Rail Route. It is hoped the designation will put the line on a more sustainable financial footing. Mr Burningham said the designation was ?another landmark on the way to making the very most of the Tamar Valley line?. ?It is very much a positive step forward ? an opportunity we and our partners are determined to make the most of, to the benefit of the communities this key line serves,? he said. Bob Houghton, commercial director of Wessex Trains, said the designation was ?great news?. ?This provides us with the flexibility to continue to make this wonderful scenic line a success, something which we have already seen with the St Ives Bay line which received the status earlier in the year.?