CHRISTMAS train rides full of steam and brightly coloured lights are coming down the track at a heritage railway this festive season.

Swanage Railway will host a series of 'Steam and Lights' services. The popular train rides sold out quickly last year so families are being urged to sign up if they want to get on board.

The services will operate on 17 selected days between Sunday, November 27 and Friday, December 31 - trains will be covered in brightly coloured lights and will pass by a series of line-side lighting displays along the way.

This is the second time this service has run, replacing the railway's traditional 'Santa Specials' due to Covid-19 restrictions.

Last year’s festive train services were sold out with extra trains having to be operated to cope with public demand.

The Swanage Railway’s volunteer passenger services director Trevor Parsons said: “We are very excited to be running a second year of festive ‘Steam and Lights’ trains in the run-up to Christmas because the service is very special and out of this world – colourful, evocative and dramatic. We are looking forward to it tremendously.

“Last year’s festive ‘Steam and Lights’ train services, in the run up to Christmas, were a sold out success with extra trains having to be operated to cope with public demand.

“The need to keep our passengers and staff safe against the threat of Covid-19 means that we are asking our passengers to wear face coverings when on the station platform and on the festive trains."

He added: “With the help of an experienced and reputable company specialising in synchronised lighting and music, we have been working very hard to design a special festive train service that will make wonderful and magical memories for children and adults in the run-up to Christmas."

The Steam and Lights trains must be booked in advance and can only be joined at Swanage station where the brightly lit festive trains start and end their journeys.

Tickets are available for £85 for a table of up to four people and £50 for a table of two people – with children aged under three being free if they sit on an adult lap and do not occupy a seat.

To book a ticket, visit www.swanagerailway.co.uk/events