Large crowds turned out to welcome a special train service as the Heart of Wales Line celebrated it's 150th year last week.

Representatives from Arriva Trains Wales described the much loved service, which connects Mid-Wales with Swansea at it's southern end, and Shrewsbury and Crewe to the North East, as "one of the most beautiful lines in Britain" at celebration events in Shrewsbury and Swansea on Friday, March 23.

Dignitaries and guests gathered on Platform 7 at Shrewsbury including Russell George AM, and Arriva Trains Wales’ Managing Director Tom Joyner while Shropshire based morris dancing group 'Shrewsbury Morris' entertained passengers and staff with traditional dancing.

Llandrindod Town Crier Jan Swindale, who met the service at Llandrindod before heading on to Swansea said the event had been a wonderful celebration of the heritage of the line.

"It was very exciting, I thought it was a delightful event and quite beautifully done really," she said.

"We were greeted at Swansea by the Lord Mayor of Swansea and the Morriston Orpheous Choir, then I was asked to give my 'cry' which I did. We cut a cake in Swansea which featured the names of the stations on the route."

"The 150th celebrations will continue throughout the year and Llandrindod will be organising a celebration in August to start the Victorian festival."

The choir performed the Welsh national anthem Mae Hen Wlad Fy Nghadau, before speeches by Lord Mayor of Swansea Phillip Downing and Professor Stuart Cole, President of the Heart of Wales Travellers Association.

Geraint Morgan, Community Relations Manager for Arriva Trains Wales, said: "It has been an incredible day and something we’ve been so proud to be involved in.

"This line means so much to so many people and up and down it we see so many fantastic examples of communities getting involved in their railway and helping look after their local stations, through our Station Adoption programme.

"Yes it connects Swansea to Shrewsbury, but it does far more than that. It connects towns, villages and most importantly, people. Here’s to another 150 years!"

Arriva Trains Wales say there will b further events to celebrate the line’s anniversary during the rest of the year.

The station announcement at Swansea for the service, which is recorded in Welsh and English, is believed to be the longest station announcement in the UK.