TRAIN operator GNER is cutting the cost of travel for thousands of passengers travelling between the North-East and London.

GNER is offering more than 20,000 seats a week at low prices for travel on its less busy trains.

Standard tickets between Newcastle and London start at £20 return, and travel from York costs £19.

The off-peak fares are available every day, between all GNER-served stations, all-year round.

The tickets, which must be bought at least seven days ahead, are aimed at leisure travellers or anyone who does not need to travel at peak time.

Sabine Sharman, GNER senior product manager, said: "These permanent new fares are aimed at attracting new passengers to rail and persuading existing customers to travel more often to London and some of Britain's most popular city destinations."

Passengers heading for London, before the end of January, can take advantage of two-for-the-price-of-one offers at 27 attractions in London, including Madame Tussauds, The Tower of London, London Aquarium, The London Dungeon and London Zoo.

Thistle Hotels are also offering two for one deals at 24 hotels in London.

Information about two for one offers in London is available on-line, at www.londontrainsoffers.co.uk

Meanwhile, GNER has completed the full refit of the first of its fleet of high-speed diesel trains. All ten trains are getting a more spacious, refurbished buffet car and kitchen.