A TRAIN company is attempting to woo First Class travellers out of the air, off the roads and on to the rails.

From this Thursday, GNER is slashing the price of first-class tickets by more than half in an effort to get more people "let the train take the strain".

The promotion, which will continue throughout the summer until September 7, will apply on the east coast route between King's Cross, and the North-East and Scotland.

The discounted fares will operate at off-peak times and are divided into three zones. Travel within one zone will be £69, through two £85 and through three £99.

For example, a ticket from Newcastle, Darlington or York to London would be £85, while York to Glasgow or Edinburgh would be £69.

GNER's senior product manager Clare Braithwaite said: "Our services are back to near-normal and we are encouraging passengers to travel First Class at a heavily-discounted price.

"We are targeting travellers who are currently choosing to drive or take the plane and persuading our regular travellers to upgrade."

The tickets will be subject to availability and must be booked at least three days in advance.