ONE of Aberystwyth’s most popular tourist attractions has been shortlisted for a prestigious award for the third year in a row.

The Vale of Rheidol Railway has been shortlisted for the Heritage Railway of the Year category in the British Coach Tourism Awards.

The awards recognise excellence and innovation among coach tour operators, destinations, visitor attractions, and tourism industry suppliers.

“We are thrilled to have been shortlisted for this award,” said Vale of Rheidol marketing manager Allison Cadoret.

“We have worked hard over recent years to improve the railway to provide a warm friendly welcome to all of our visitors. Coach tourism is very important to us and we welcome groups from all over the UK and worldwide.”

As well as scoring highly in Visit Wales Quality Assurance assessments, it has obtained the Certificate of Excellence from Trip­Advisor for the last three years and gained World Host business status in 2015, recognising excellence in customer service standards.

The railway has built up a rapport with many repeat itinerary coach companies, who have included visits to the railway in their annual programmes for many years.

The winners will be announced at an awards presentation at the National Motor­cycle Museum, Birmingham, on 22 March.

See this week’s south editions for the full story, in shops and online on Wednesday