THE Scandinavian Express took centre stage when staff and volunteers at a nature reserve got into the festive spirit.

RSPB Saltholme, near Stockton, put on a weekend of events and thanks to the creative efforts of Mike Wade and John Cory, the wooden model train hosted of familiar festive favourites to get visitors into the Christmas spirit.

Event manager Karen Black said: “For the last few years, we have had reindeer as the star attractions for our festive celebrations, but this year we wanted to do something a bit different, so we came up with a ‘Polar Express’ theme.

“The theme really fits with what happens here at Saltholme each year as we get thousands of birds that travel from Scandinavia and the Polar region to spend the winter months here on the reserve, all without the help of a train.

"Our volunteers, Mike and John, have been amazing; they’ve picked up the theme and really gone with it.”

The cleverly designed carriages house secret compartments, which hide clues to complete the Scandinavian Express outdoor trail.

The volunteer said: “We have thoroughly enjoyed the challenge of building the Saltholme Express, and we were really pleased with the finished result. The kind of thing we usually do is mending fences and making nest box kits so this provided us with a really different and exciting project.”

Other activities for visitors to enjoy included Christmas crafts and festive face painting, and a winter tale from storyteller, Chris Connaughton, all taking place in the warmth of the visitor centre.

For more information, visit www.rspb.org.uk/saltholme or call 01642-546625.