Rail operator Arriva Trains Northern has launched a campaign to encourage racegoers to travel by train.

The company is offering discounts for people travelling to race meetings at a number of courses in the region, including Hexham, Newcastle, Redcar, Thirsk and York.

Back A Winner By Train was launched yesterday by former champion jockey Willie Carson at the first race meeting of the Flat season, at Doncaster racecourse.

Discounted tickets can be bought from Arriva stations in the North-East and Yorkshire.