HIGH-SPEED trains are to stop at Chester-le-Street station, giving travellers a direct rail link to the South-West of England.

The station, which narrowly escaped closure during the Sixties, was granted Intercity status on Monday.

Slow local trains will be replaced by cross-country services. Twelve 125mph trains will call at the station every day, replacing the 75mph Pacers.

Stationmaster and director of Chester-le-Track, Alex Nelson, said: "This is a great day for Chester-le-Street. We have waited a long time for it to happen.

"The coffee shop, which was open for just a short period in 1999, reopens on Monday and to celebrate the new service, Chester-le-Track is resurrecting one of it's most popular and unusual promotions.

"If you've still got that Sixties or Seventies nylon shirt you could get yourself a free railcard or a day return ticket to York at any time until the end of June."

Chester-le-Street will be served by Virgin, TransPennine and Arriva Trains Northern allowing day trips to places such as York, Leeds and Derby. Longer journeys to Bristol, Plymouth and Devon are also now an option.

On Monday, Chester-le-Street dignitaries boarded the first Virgin train for a short trip to Darlington, while youngsters from Bullion Lane Primary School visited York's National Railway Museum.

Colin Harris, regional manager North-East for Virgin CrossCountry, said: "We welcome the arrival of Virgin Trains at Chester-le-Street.

"Passengers can now travel much further afield, as well as on local journeys, thanks to train operating companies working together under the leadership of the Strategic Rail Authority to produce a timetable which gives the people of Chester-le-Street new journey opportunities."