A children’s poster competition has been launched as part of the Maritime Line’s 150th anniversary celebrations.

Youngsters aged between five and 11 are invited to design a poster to promote travelling to Falmouth by train and in celebration of the impact of the railway on tourism in the area.

The children have the chance to win a host of prizes for themselves and their classmates including train, boat and vintage bus trips, donated by First Great Western, the Red Routemaster Company and Fal River Cornwall.

Pupils from Falmouth Primary, King Charles, Marlborough and St Mary’s Schools in Falmouth, Kennall Vale School in Ponsanooth and Penryn Junior School are being encouraged to enter.

The competition is hosted by The Royal Cornwall Polytechnic Society’s Local History and Research Group, who are keen to encourage the younger generation to discover more about their local heritage.

They will be sharing a sample of images from their archive with schools who have chosen to participate to provide artistic inspiration and an insight into the past.

Competition organiser and history group volunteer, Amanda Rundle said: “Most older people recognise the importance of good transport links but we rarely stop to consider how this has changed society over the years.

“The arrival of the railway was a significant turning point in the history of the country and heralded the start of the tourist industry in Falmouth, and indeed Cornwall as a whole. Many will recognise the classic GWR posters of the past promoting train travel to the West Country.

“The railway link is still of huge importance to the town. This competition provides an opportunity for the younger generation to find out more, demonstrate their artistic talent and possibly produce the iconic images of the future.

“We are very encouraged by the response of local schools and look forward to working closely with them in future to celebrate the history of the town.”

All winning entries will be on display at the Falmouth on Track exhibition which opens at The Poly on the August 19, providing a chance for people of all ages to find out more about the history of the railway, the people involved and its impact on the town.

The grand winner will also see their winning entry on display at railway stations throughout Cornwall, courtesy of First Great Western.

The competition heralds the start of the celebrations on the Maritime Line, which links Truro, Penryn and Falmouth. They will culminate in a weekend of activities August 24/25, including a very special train journey.