A SCHOOL holiday treat for parents and children is on track with the North Yorkshire Moors Railway and the arrival of story trains.

Normally, passengers on the heritage railway board a train at Pickering and expect to head up the line to Grosmont or Whitby, but on six special trains this summer, the destinations will be fairyland, the pirate-infested Caribbean or even the world’s most famous magical village, Harry Potter’s Hogsmead.

Each Friday, from July 25 until August 29, the 10.00am train from Pickering will be crewed by characters more often seen in fiction,telling stories, organising games and creating a bit of organised mayhem

Marketing manager Danielle Ramsay said: “Our story trains combine the best entertainment from a hilarious cast of characters, we’ve got a charm of fairies, a band of pirates, and then some students of witchcraft and wizardry from Hogwarts, plus a very large, hairy member of the teaching staff giving advice on caring for dragons and other mystical beasts.”

“We hope that many of our passengers will join the crew by arriving in costume, and we’ll be giving prizes away for the best each week,” she added.

Tickets are £20.50 for adults, £17.50 for seniors or £10.50 for children. A family ticket, for two adults and up to four children is £45.00. For tickets and information go to www.nymr.co.uk