FAMILIES can take their little ones on board a magical steam train ride this weekend as part of a special festive celebration.

The Watercress Line will be inviting Father Christmas down to meet children and to enjoy a trip.

Departing from either Alresford or Alton, the Santa Special is an hour round trip on the Watercress Line.

Visitors should allow plenty of time, around 30 minutes, for parking and a five to ten minute walk to the stations.

Volunteers will be on hand at Alresford station and Perins car park to help visitors to park.

It takes place on?Saturday and Sunday and from Thursday, December 21 until?Christmas Eve.

Fares are £18 for an adult, £18 for a child aged one-16 years, and £10 for a baby under one year. It’s an additional pound for all fares for Christmas Eve.

On Boxing Day and on Wednesday December 27, The Watercress Line is inviting people to join civilian and military re-enactors to experience the atmosphere of a Second World War Christmas on the railway.

Tickets include all-day travel on the railway, and visitors can hop on and off at all four stations enjoying the 1940s entertainment on offer.

Tickets are £17 for an adult, £9 for a child of two-16 years old, children under-two go free.

A family ticket of two adults and two children is £43.