As part of its 25th-anniversary celebrations, Transport for London (TfL) is running a competition for children where the winners will get to record public address (PA) announcements and go behind the scenes.

The competition is open to children aged 5 -16 who should explain in 100 words or fewer what they love about London’s transport network.

It may be they are a superfan of a particular mode of transport, such as using the London Overground to visit their grandparents, travelling on a bus to football matches, or using the Cycleway every Sunday.

Staff from each service will choose 25 winners, who will have the chance to record their own personalised 25th-anniversary message to be played at a London station and tour parts of the transport network usually closed to the public.

All winners will be taken behind-the-scenes on a tour relevant to their entry, such as depots for buses, cycle hire or trams, the IFS Cloud Cable Car or a Tube or railway station,.

They will also be given an insight into what keeps London moving every day, as well as a goodie bag, with Transport for London s 25th anniversary merchandise and an iconic poster.

The competition runs until Wednesday 23 April and further details are available on the TfL Travel for Life website, which supports primary and secondary schools to travel towards a brighter, safer and more sustainable future.

A celebration of transport in the capital is being held from Friday 4th to Sunday, 6th April at London Transport Museum’s Depot in Acton, West London, where transport superfans can explore parts normally closed to the public.

The depot houses more than 320,000 objects, including historic Tube trains, trams, buses and trolleybuses, and vintage signs and maps. The weekend will also include mini-tours, expert talks, family-friendly activities, special displays, and demonstrations.

As well as tours of the Acton depot, visitors can explore hidden and disused parts of the Underground network on tours organised by the London Transport Museum.

“It’s vital that London is a place where all children can grow up healthy and happy and fulfil their potential, with milestones from the last 25 years, such as free travel for young people, helping promote equal opportunities. As we celebrate TfL’s milestone anniversary this year, this competition is a fantastic opportunity for children to get involved and for transport superfans to make their mark and share their stories with millions of people across the capital. London is full of surprise and intrigue, and these announcements will allow us all to see the wonder of the city through children’s eyes. It may even open their eyes to a fulfilling career in transport, and the array of award-winning apprenticeships, graduate schemes and internships we offer.”

Andy Lord, London’s Transport Commissioner