SANTA has brought a North village the best Christmas present local people could wish for -the re-opening of the railway station.

Finghall, in the Yorkshire Dales, has become the fifth station to reopen on the 17-mile Wensleydale Railway line, which was relaunched last year.

The station was seen around the world when it was featured in the hit 1980s series All Creatures Great and Small, based on the James Herriot stories.

But before it reopened yesterday, it had not had proper passenger services for half a century.

From now, eight trains will call at the station every day, excluding Christmas Day and New Year's Day.

The trains will run east to Bedale and Leeming Bar, and have bus connections to Northallerton.

In the other direction, trains will run to Leyburn and Redmire, about half an hour's walk from Bolton Castle.

There is no parking at Finghall station.

On Boxing Day, passengers travelling on the Wensleydale Railway from Leeming Bar or Redmire can book a day rover ticket that includes a mince pie and mulled wine on the train.

The full timetable for services at Finghall station are available at www.wensleydalerailway.com or by calling 0845 450 5474.