Elworth father and son Ryan and Tim Oakes have become the first Sandbach residents to complete the Cheshire Rail Ale Trail launched as part of the celebrations of the 200th anniversary of passenger rail travel in Britain.

The pair received commemorative caps having taken a train to every station along the Northern Trains route from Crewe to Manchester Piccadilly and enjoyed a glass of real ale at a pub close to each.

They visited 16 of the pubs taking part in the trail in two outings, rating the Ship at Styal and the Space Invaders at Goostrey among the top stops However, they had high praise for The Midland, just 100 yards from Sandbach station, which is no surprise as they are regular customers there.

After receiving their caps they praised the initiative which they said had given them the impetus to explore towns and villages they had never visited before despite having lived in Sandbach all their lives.

Tim and Ryan are pictured at Sandbach station with Hugh Everett, secretary of the Rail Ale Trail organising committee who presented the duo with their caps (left), and Mark Barker, Chairman of Cheshire Best Kept Stations (right).

Sandbach station won one of two Rail 200 awards at the Cheshrie Best Kept Station awards earlier this year after the Friends of Sandbach Station (FOSS) organised a a peformance from the internationally renowned Foden's Brass Band to mark the anniversary year.

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