RAIL passengers can cross the Pennines on Saturdays this summer with the introduction of a train service.

The Arriva Trains Northern service provides the first direct train linking the Roman cities of York and Carlisle.

Running over the famous Settle-Carlisle line, which provides spectacular views, the service offers greater opportunities to travel and is expected to boost tourism on the line.

Managing director Dyan Crowther said: "We initially introduced the loco-hauled service to the network to increase capacity on weekday commuter services between Knaresborough and Leeds.

"To make greater use of the train, we also created a weekday Leeds to Carlisle service.

"We were keen to ensure that we continued to make maximum use of the train so we looked for an opportunity to run it on Saturdays during the summer months and, working with Network Rail, we have been able to achieve this further investment in services."

The Saturday service will leave York at 9.06am and arrive at Carlisle at 12.14pm, calling at Leeds, Bingley, Keighley, Skipton, Kirkby Stephen and Appleby.

The return train, which will call at the same stations, will leave Carlisle at 3.32pm and arrive in York at 6.52pm.

The Saturday service will run until September 25.