A new wooden train has been built by students to live outside a Tesco superstore in Rainham.

Carpentry students and apprentices designed and constructed the train for their course at the New City College engineering campus.

They have installed it outside the Tesco store to use as planters for shrubs and flowers, to replace an old one that has been shunted into the sidings.

The college was getting all steamed up about the run-down look of the old train.

“I often walked past and noticed it was in need of some TLC,” college engineering curriculum director Stephen Brayshaw said. “It was looking a little sorry for itself.

“So I thought a rework of the original could be a great project for the students.”

Each train carriage — or planter — is being tended by Havering councillor Sue Ospreay.

She said: “This is something good happening in Rainham and everyone needs to get on board."

Each carriage planter is being paid for by a local business with the sponsorship money going to Havering charities.