DJ John Peel Train Goes Into Service In Liverpool

A train named after the late radio DJ John Peel has begun transporting rail commuters into Liverpool.

Peel's widow Sheila Ravenscroft joined other customers as it made its maiden journey yesterday from the city's South Parkway interchange.

Mrs Ravenscroft said she was “very emotional” and “honoured” to be asked to take part in the opening.

"He was born in Heswall. He worked in Liverpool when he left school,” she told the BBC.

“Even when he was in the Army right down in Anglesey he used to get on his little motorbike and come up all the time for the matches. He talked about it a lot."

The DJ, who pioneered new music on the BBC, died in October 2004 after suffering a heart attack during a family holiday. He was 65.