EVESHAM is locked in a battle to become the pride of West Midlands and the region’s champion in the World Cup of Stations.

The market town needs support from the public for a place in the final, with the hope to be crowned ‘The UK’s best-loved station’ and winner of the World Cup of Stations 2023.

The competition is being hosted by the Rail Delivery Group in partnership with the Community Rail Network.

This year’s competition takes place during Community Rail Week, held between Monday, May 22 and Friday, May 26, to highlight the work of volunteers who support stations through Community Rail. 

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Evesham is managed by Great Western Railway, with visitors welcomed to the station by a garden maintained by the Friends of Evesham Station.

The wide range of plants provides a lot of interest throughout the year and the garden is also home to a variety of wildlife.

More than 100 nominations from across Great Britain were whittled down to 48 by TV presenter Tim Dunn.

Stations in the West Midlands will now go head-to-head in a public vote against other regions tomorrow Tuesday, May 23.

The winner of each regional group will go through to the semi-finals on Thursday, May 25 and the final held will be held on Friday.

Joe Graham, business assurance and strategy director at Great Western Railway, said: “The World Cup of Stations is a fantastic way of promoting some of the wonderful destinations on the rail network and we believe Evesham is among the very best around.

“World Cup of Stations is also a brilliant way to celebrate Community Rail Week and the great work of our community volunteers.”

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Tim Dunn, TV presenter and shortlist judge, said: “I had the tricky task of selecting the shortlist of 48 stations.

“The time, energy and love each group gives is because of a love of our shared railway and their communities too.

"It might seem bonkers, but this competition showcases the hard work of hundreds countrywide, then amplifies and celebrates all in community rail.

“Remember, like a football World Cup, the winners each day need more and more support - in every battle, it's the one with the most votes who wins."

You can vote for Evesham tomorrow via #WorldCupofStations at RailDeliveryGrp on Twitter or at www.raildeliverygroup.com/WorldCupOfStations.