A VIRGIN train has been renamed in honour of the courage of Cumbrians affected by the flooding during the winter storms.

One of the company's Pendolino trains that operates on the West Coast Mainline now carries the name "The Cumbrian Spirit" following a naming ceremony at Carlisle station.

Andrew Hunter of Grasmere Gingerbread, which was one of the local businesses affected, carried out the name unveiling ceremony on the station platform.

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Anna Doran, General Manager at Virgin Trains, said: “We care about Cumbria and its people, so it has been heartbreaking to see the devastation the floods have caused across the region. But the people of Cumbria have not been beaten.

"They have shown tremendous courage and determination to continue business as usual and rebuild their communities - something described locally as the ‘Spirit of Cumbria’.

"At Virgin Trains, we share their spirit and wanted to recognise everything they have been through. 'The Cumbrian Spirit' is a small gesture to acknowledge the local communities that we’re proud to play a part in. We’re keen to continue helping those who have been affected and is about celebrating Cumbria and showing that Cumbria is very much open for business.”

Andy Beeforth, Chief Executive, Cumbria Community Foundation, said: “We think it’s great that there will be a train travelling along the West Coast Mainline carrying this positive message about the people of Cumbria.”