TRAIN enthusiast and illustrator David Jennings has been on the right track during the lock down with sales of his special cards rocketing online.

Based in Northallerton Mr Jennings company Bus Stop Cards has seen spiralling interest in the greeting cards he creates from his studio.

Mr Jennings said: "While unable to visit friends and family the need for human connection remains. Many are choosing to show they care with a card, often shopping local or with small businesses in online market places.

"I think people want to send special cards to show loved ones they care during lockdown. Many people are working hard to spend their money with small businesses like mine. I’m really grateful to my customers. It is very nice to think my cards are bringing people a smile during such hard times.

"I’m selling a lot of my three-page train cards. Each one is hand cut by me. The three pages work really well for long train designs. They are more expensive than basic cards and normally my online sales just trickle along through the year. But during the lockdown's I am getting lots of orders every day."

He has sold over 1,000 cards on Etsy, but is also investing in his passions and has donated some of the proceeds to hard hit train charities including the Wensleydale Railway and the Tanfield Railway in County Durham. The father of two is also making the most of family support with son Thomas helping.www.etsy.com/shop/busstopcards/