AS the Government announces that millions of train tickets are set to be slashed in price for April and May to address the cost-of-living squeeze, we've looked at local train tickets to see truly how cheap they were.

The move has been dubbed the Great British Rail Sale, the Transport Secretary said that more than one million train tickets would be reduced this spring.

Read more: Major offshore wind firm in talks to open North East factory creating 1,000 jobs

The Department for Transport is hoping the move will help hard-pressed households, facing rising bills and souring inflation, to afford trips across the UK and boost domestic tourism.

Discounted tickets will go on sale from Tuesday, April 19, with passengers eligible to travel for less on-off peak fares between April 25 and May 25.

We had a look at local train fares to see just how much cheaper train tickets will become:

  • Firstly, looking at LNER tickets for off-peak travel from Darlington to London leaving on May 2 and returning on May 3, we found tickets as low as £36.60.
  • From Newcastle to London tickets for off-peak travel from May 2 to May 3 we found tickets at £39.60 for a return journey.
  • From Darlington to Edinburgh leaving on May 21 and returning on May 23 off-peak travel tickets can be bought for as low as £19.90.
  • Moving on to Northern Trains, we found off-peak  tickets from Darlington to Leeds from May 2 and returning on May 3 as low as £24.50.
  • Northern Trains also offer an off-peak ticket from Darlington to Newcastle for £6.50 on May 2 and returning on May 3.
  • A return trip from Darlington to Middlesbrough on May 2 can be bought for as low as £5.90

Grant Shapps, transport secretary, said that for “the first time ever” operators across the rail industry are coming together to “help passengers facing rising costs of living”.

He said: “For the first time ever, operators across the rail industry are coming together to help passengers facing rising costs of living by offering up to 50% off more than a million tickets on journeys across Britain.

Read more: Red Arrows and Spitfires coming to this seaside town as part of national event

“There’s no better time to visit friends, family or just explore our great country, so book your tickets today.”

Jacqueline Starr, chief executive of Rail Delivery Group said it was a “way to connect everyone to the people, places and things they love.”

She added: “As part of the Great British Rail Sale customers will enjoy over one million discounted tickets, so they can explore some of the fantastic locations that are accessible by rail.”

------

Keep up to date with all the latest news on our website, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

You can also follow our dedicated County Durham Facebook page for all the latest in the area by clicking here.

For all the top news updates from right across the region straight to your inbox, sign up to our newsletter here.

Have you got a story for us? Contact our newsdesk on newsdesk@nne.co.uk or contact 01325 505054