SWANAGE Railway's festive 'Steam and Lights' trains will operate as planned, heritage rail bosses have confirmed.

The Christmas services are due to start on Saturday, December 5.

A spokesman for the railway said: "Following the announcement from the Government that Dorset Council and the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council areas will be placed in Tier Two from Wednesday, 2 December, 2020, the Swanage Railway can confirm that its Steam and Lights as well as its Christmas Luncheon train services - scheduled to operate from Saturday, 5 December, 2020 - will operate as planned.

"Our train services will continue to comply with the guidelines laid out by the Government and conform with our ‘We’re Good to Go” accreditation from Visit Britain."