A ONE-off charter train trip through Somerset will celebrate the life of a man who helped put the county well and truly on the map.

The special journey from London Paddington will link the main railway to the West Somerset Railway on Saturday (May 13).

The train is in honour of Bob Smart, former chairman of Visit Somerset, who died a year ago after a short illness.

In partnership with Visit Somerset and the West Somerset Railway, the Somerset Explorer charity High Speed Train will operate from Paddington to Bishops Lydeard and on to Minehead via the West Somerset Railway.

The special charter service will help passengers visit parts of Somerset’s famous attractions.

At Frome passengers will also have a choice of a coach tour of some of Somerset’s most iconic destinations or staying on board to travel over the West Somerset Railway towards Minehead, before returning to London via Weston-super-Mare.

Visit Somerset chief executive John Turner said: "Bob was a tremendous force within the tourism industry in Somerset and we are all truly humbled by this incredible offer by Great Western Railway to charter this special train from London Paddington for our beloved friend and colleague.

“We have an added opportunity to market the county to large numbers coming on the train from London, many of which are train enthusiasts keen to experience West Somerset Railway.”

The coach tour will take passengers to the city of Wells and Cheddar before travelling to Weston for the return train journey towards London.

Those on board will have two hours for an optional tour of the Archbishop’s Palace in Wells before travelling to Wookey Hole and a two-hour visit to the world-famous caves.

The Somerset Explorer is in aid of Weston Hospicecare, where Bob Smart spent his last days in May 2016.

All profits from the trip will be donated to the charity, which provides palliative care and support for people living with life-limiting illnesses.

Chief executive of Weston Hospice Care Paul Winspear said: "We are absolutely delighted with this very generous gesture from GWR.

"Each year we have to raise £2.7 million and so the money raised from this event really will make a great deal of difference to us.

“It will support the care of local people, like Bob, affected with a life-limiting illness, helping us to give our patients access to pain relief, expert help and support to give them the best quality of life.”

Owner of the Grand Pier and Visit Somerset executive board director Michelle Michael said: “This is a truly innovative way to acknowledge Bob's dedication to tourism in Somerset.

"We are delighted the memorial train will be bringing new visitors to a county he worked tirelessly to promote and at the same time helping to raise much needed funds for Weston Hospicecare.”

Tickets are on sale now from £35 return, £17.50 for children aged five to 15 or at the reduced price of £30 per person for groups of four - book here.