Train named after Plymouth’s first female MP Nancy Astor

The first female MP to take her seat in Parliament has had a train named after her ahead of a statue unveiling in Plymouth.

Lady Nancy Astor made history after she was elected to represent Plymouth Sutton in Parliament on November 28, 1919 - exactly 100 years ago.

Former prime minister Theresa May will reveal the statue of Lady Astor on Plymouth Hoe later today.

But ahead of the unveiling, a Great Western Railway (GWR) train was named after Lady Astor during a special ceremony at Paddington Station.

The new-look train at Paddington Station. Credit: GWR

Nominated as part of GWR’s search for 100 ‘Great Westerners’, Lady Astor’s name will now be carried by one of their new Intercity Express Trains.

The train will arrive in Plymouth ahead of Lady Astor's statue unveiling. Credit: GWR

Following the naming ceremony at Paddington Station, invited guests - including several members of the Astor family - boarded the special Nancy Astor train service to Plymouth in time to attend the unveiling of a statue on the Hoe.