Soft toy reunited with boy after 600-mile rail trip

The cuddly monkey, which had been with the boy since he was born, was given a makeover by Network Rail

A three-year-old boy's soft toy that got lost on a train and went on a 600-mile round trip has been returned to him.

Kayna Tay and her son were returning to Bristol via Birmingham New Street after visiting family in Rutland.

They were asked to move carriages and the cuddly monkey, which the boy has had since he was born, was left behind.

Network Rail said Monkey was found by staff in Edinburgh and four different companies came to the toy's rescue to get it home.

Ms Tay, 43, headed straight for Network Rail’s Birmingham New Street station reception when she noticed the toy was missing.

Customer service assistants Leon Allen and Vinny Murphy spearheaded a mission to trace the treasured toy - which by now was on its way towards Newcastle.

It was only when the CrossCountry service terminated in Edinburgh, 384 miles away from Monkey's usual home, that he was found and taken to lost property.

Kayna Tay says she cannot thank staff enough for bringing Monkey home

Vinny and Leon arranged for the toy to travel back down from Scotland to Birmingham.

Ms Tay was delighted to pick up the well-travelled teddy at Bristol Temple Meads the next day.

Network Rail said Monkey had clocked up an extra 619 miles (1,000 km) on top of what should have been a 155-mile (250 km) trip home, adding it was a journey "Paddington would have been proud of".

Ms Tay said: “I can’t thank everyone involved enough."