Clerk stranded on school trip

Youngsters from a Welshpool primary school were "in hysterics" with laughter – after the train they were on went steaming ahead without the trip organiser.

Robert Robinson, Welshpool Town Council clerk, was left stranded in the wilderness during the outing on the Welshpool and Llanfair Light Railway yesterday.

He had been enjoying the outing with pupils from Ysgol Maesydre in Welshpool.

He said: "I enjoyed yesterday but there was a slight hiccup.

"I was put in charge of opening and closing all the gates to allow the train to get through.

"And unfortunately I got left behind in Castle Caereinion.

"I tried running after the train and calling out to get it to stop, but it just went steaming ahead without me."

Mr Robinson said: "Luckily, I managed to get someone to give me a lift by car to Llanfair Caereinion and I ended up beating the train back, which was good.

"The pupils found it really funny and were all in hysterics; it certainly made their day.

"I just couldn't believe what had happened, but find it really funny that it went without me.

"I'm feeling a bit tired today but it was all good fun."

He said the trip had been organised by Welshpool Rotary Club.