MORE than 4,500 people working for Virgin Trains and London Midland are sporting new uniforms that they have had a big say in designing.

The 3,000 Virgin Trains on-board and station staff have been issued with the updated uniforms following trials at seven locations.

The new look gives slightly less focus to the famous Virgin red, but the jackets and overcoats have been designed to retain their ready visibility at stations.

Supplier Wensum visited all of the depots to check peoples’ measurements to ensure a good fit, and all but one item of the new uniform is machine washable to promote environmental protection.

Meanwhile, more than1,700 London Midland staff are now sporting new-look outfits in black, green and light grey, specially designed by Midlands-based company Incorporate-wear for people working at stations as well as on the 1,200 daily train services.

The company says the uniforms are made from high quality fabrics and designed with smartness, durability and comfort in mind, while also being easy to wash.

The colours reflect London Midland’s branding, which is already visible on half its train fleet and at some stations. A total of more than 60,000 individual items have been produced to make up the uniform range.

London Midland managing director Stephen Banaghan said: “The new uniform is an important part of the positive changes we are making for London Midland customers and staff and will make our people readily visible.”

Second-hand uniforms inherited from predecessor organisations will still have a useful life – they are being recycled by Wolverhampton-based company Wilcox for re-use by communities across the world.