HERITAGE railway boss Kerry Noble has received a prestigious national award for her ‘outstanding performance in managing’ the West Somerset line.

Kerry was presented with the award for ‘Rising Stars’ at a black-tie event in Birmingham for her work in the past two years as West Somerset Railway (WSR) assistant general manager and then general manager.

She manages a professional staff of more than 40 people working in all the specialisms necessary to run a safe and successful railway, and has overall responsibility for a team of nearly 900 trained volunteers.

Kerry said: “I am honoured and delighted to receive this award, which is also a reflection of the outstanding team we have here at the West Somerset Railway.

“Like many businesses we continue to go through challenging economic times, but with the continuing support of the team I am sure we will have a sound and successful future.”

WSR board chairman Jonathan Jones-Pratt, who attended the presentation event, said: “Kerry has done a fantastic job since becoming general manager and we are all delighted with her success and warmly congratulate her.

“The board and I are very grateful for the many hours of professional management she has put in to help make the West Somerset Railway the success it is.

“In the last couple of years there have been many challenges.

“The award recognises how important internal growth can be and what can be achieved.

“Kerry has worked hard to become general manager on the WSR and has helped develop our railway back to what it is today after many years of difficulty.

“It is very satisfying to have national recognition to confirm what those of us closely involved in the railway knew already.”

The award was co-ordinated and presented by the Heritage Railway Association (HRA), the UK-wide trade body representing heritage railways, tramways, cliff railways, museums, and rolling stock owners.

It has more than 300 corporate members, including nearly all of the UK’s heritage railways.

Award winners were nominated and went through a selection process judged by experienced professionals.