A ROMSEY boy could be crowned one of the winners in a train manager announcement contest - launched by Great Western Railway (GWR).

The train operator challenged youngsters to record a video of them announcing their favourite train journey, in a bid to keep children entertained amid lockdown.

Finley Lassiter, who attends The Mountbatten School, sent a video to GWR of him announcing a train journey from Romsey to Cardiff Central after spotting the competition on social media last week, according to his mum, Clare.

A shortlist of the contestants will be drawn up by a panel of judges, including BBC South West radio presenter David Sheppard, the voice behind some of GWR’s station safety messages, including ‘mind the gap’ when boarding and leaving a train.

Three winners will then be chosen to receive a special #GWREnterTrainment pack, boasting a set of GWR Top Trumps, a jigsaw and adventure pack.

Now, the 15-year-old has revealed he hopes to begin his work experience with South Western Railway (SWR) "over the Summer", so he can one day work with trains.

Finley, who lives in Halterworth, said: "I enjoy anything to do with trains and I like using the railways.

"I like knowing [the train routes], because I spend a bit of time at the station and can remember the stops, which other people may find a bit arbitrary.

"I am interested in railways, because I understand it is quite a difficult job, given a lot of people are not particularly happy with the [train] companies and like to complain."

When asked if Finley hopes to complete his work experience with SWR after it was cancelled in March, due to coronavirus, he said: "I do not know just yet, but I am quite hopeful I will be able to do it at some stage over the Summer."

Clare added if Finley won the contest "he would be really excited and proud" of his achievement.