CHILDREN will have the chance to meet Father Christmas on a festive steam train as the Watercress Line’s highly-anticipated ‘Santa Special’ locomotive chugs into town next month.

The Watercress Line’s Santa Special events will run through December, right up until Christmas Eve, and will treat families to travel in a specially-decorated, festive traditional steam train – with visits from Father Christmas and his jolly helpers, as well as a gift for every child.

The historic railway platforms will be festooned with tinsel and festive decorations, while families are invited join in with their favourite Christmas songs and enjoy delicious refreshments.

Woodies Mountford, marketing manager at the Watercress Line, said: “Every year our Santa Special sells out and tickets for this year’s event are going quicker than ever before. It’s one of the only Santa experiences where families don’t need to queue and we love seeing childrens’ faces lighting up with Father Christmas visits them in their seats and delivers presents.

“This year, we’re making sure our younger passengers have an even better time on board with an activity sheet and gingerbread man included in the price of the ticket, while as always there will be mince pies and white wine available for adults.”

Santa Special runs over the weekend of December 2-3, December 9-10 and December 16-17 and from Thursday to Sunday, December 21-24.

To book tickets, visit watercressline.co.uk.