SOMETHING special is happening to Stroud thanks to a collaboration by some locals and First Great Western trains.

From next Monday tourists will be able to get a taste of the beautiful Five Valleys by catching the Stroud Special train from London Paddington with a card that will not only cover their fare but entitle them to free refreshments on the journey and discounts in the townÕs shops.

The idea is the brainchild of Max Comfort of Stroud Common Wealth who noticed that the commuter trains to the capital were coming back empty in the morning and again in the evening en route to pick up returning workers.

After approaching the Chamber of Trade and Commerce and First Great Western, it was decided that businesses in Stroud and the surrounding areas could capitalise on the empty trains by bringing visitors down for day trips.

The scheme was officially launched on Monday at the House of Commons by Stroud MP Neil Carmichael and minister for transport Theresa Villiers.

Other guests included Frances Roden, leader of Stroud District Council, Keith Pearson, deputy leader of SDC, Carole Garfield chairman of StroudÕs Chamber of Trade and Commerce, Lizzie Walton, director or Stroud Textile Festival, Clare Mahdiyone from the Stroud Valleys Project, Bernard Wakefield-Heath, director of Five Valleys Festivals, Sabrina Pace-Humphreys of Trailblazer PR, Gerb Gerbrands of Stroud farmers' market plus representatives from First Great Western. Posters advertising the Stroud Special will be going up at Paddington, Reading and Swindon this week and the special price tickets at £32 from London or £26 from Reading, will be available from Paddington Station on Monday, September 19.

"This is a community initiative to try and improve the local economy of Stroud," said Max who is hoping to add a brewery tour and other special events to the scheme.

Minister Theresa Villiers described the scheme as a "nice warm up to the dedoubling of the Kemble ÐSwindon line."

She said: "This is a fantastic idea that will provide real opportunities for people using the line over the next few years."