EAST Lancashire Railway’s special festive journeys are steaming back into Bury this weekend.

Every year the Bury-based heritage railway hosts its month-long Santa Specials event where Father Christmas swaps his “one-horse open sleigh” for a steam engine-hauled vintage train.

This year’s steam trains run every weekend from Saturday and Sunday to December 17 and 18, and then daily from December 21 to 24.

Tickets – ranging from £14.60 to £27.60 – are available for pre-booking only and include a return steam train ride from Bury to Rawtenstall, a present, drink and biscuit for each child, and a mince pie and festive tipple for adults.

They also cover free entry to Bury Transport Museum and its Christmas treasure trail, all the entertainment on the day – including brass bands, costumed characters and carol singing – and of course a meeting with Santa Claus himself.

Mike Kelly, East Lancashire Railway Chairman, said the Santa Specials are the busiest event in the heritage railway’s annual calendar and attract around 38,000 visitors each year. “This year looks set to be a record year for us with nearly 30,000 passengers already booked on the Santa trains with many services now sold out,” he added. “The Santa Specials are a highlight not just for our visitors but our volunteers too, who enjoy giving their time to ensure that all our visitors have a fantastic festive experience.”

The East Lancashire Railway operates a 12-mile route between Heywood and Rawtenstall, using a range of preserved steam and diesel locomotives to haul vintage train services through the scenic Irwell Valley.

The railway is the third most popular paid visitor attraction in Greater Manchester. For more information on the East Lancashire Railway visit eastlancsrailway.org.uk