Stowmarket Nostalgia - Delia Smith visits station as Anglia Railways train named after her

In today's nostalgia we go back to Stowmarket in 1995 when TV cook Delia Smith visited the railway station to meet her namesake - a 153 diesel train.

Delia was voted one of the most popular names in East Anglia in a competition to name a fleet of 15 trains by Anglia Railways.

Mrs Betty Druce, of Boxford, near Sudbury, suggested the name and won a pair first class train tickets.

Delia, from Combs, Stowmarket, was surprised by family and friends who arrived to watch as a plaque with her name and image was unveiled on the side of the train.

A panel inside the train would give a brief history of her life and achievements. It was a double celebration for the TV cook. Earlier that week she was presented with an OBE by the Queen for her services to cookery.

"It’s a great honour, especially as the people of East Anglia chose my name," Delia said.

"I have been writing recipes for 25 years and have been appearing on television for 21 years."

Mrs Dilys Gordon, Delia’s aunt, said: "It is absolutely wonderful. I am so proud."

Mrs Druce, who won the competition, said: "I suggested Delia because all the other names were very grim. I am a keen cook and if you are going to name a train after someone who better than a woman?"