AN EAST Coast chartered ‘Santa Express’ train has raised £21,000 for homelessness charity the Railway Children.

The train, which was decorated as a grotto, took 500 people from the region to London for a festive day out.

Those onboard included Lynda Alderson, from Coundon, County Durham, the winner of a Northern Echo competition, along with her partner Alan Longthorne and ten-year-old daughter Ruth.

Railway Children is East Coast’s chosen charity and supports vulnerable children who live alone on the streets.

With the sale of raffle tickets and Christmas cards onboard, as well as the cost of train tickets themselves, £21,000 was raised to support the charity’s work.

Railway Children spokeswoman Suzanne Parsons said: “It was a privilege and a pleasure to be on the special East Coast Santa train.

“The atmosphere was amazing and customers were treated to an array of Christmas treats and experiences including singing and dancing in the aisles and even a visit from Santa.

“We would like to thank all the East Coast staff who planned the day and who gave up their free time to work on the Santa special.”

Presenter Gary Philipson from radio station Heart North East took charge of all on-board announcements, while there were flash-mob dancers, carols and competitions organised on the train.

On arrival at London King’s Cross, East Coast staff performed ‘We Wish You a Merry Christmas’ alongside Disney characters Elsa and Anna from the film ‘Frozen’.

East Coast’s head of learning and development Stephanie Oerton said: “We are truly delighted to have raised this incredible amount. It was a great day for everyone involved from customers and staff to Santa and our other special guests.”