NORTHERN is advising customers travelling this Easter bank holiday weekend to check before they travel and be flexible with their journeys.

Trains are expected to be very busy between Friday 15 and Monday 18 April across the Northern network.

Tony Baxter, regional director at Northern, said: “We know the bank holiday provides a great opportunity for people to get out, explore, and enjoy all the North of England has to offer.

“We’re doing all we can to prepare for the weekend and are also asking our customers to plan ahead, expect services to be busy, allow extra time for journeys and, where possible, to avoid travelling during the busiest times.”

For details of Northern’s timetables – and planned engineering work - visit northernrailway.co.uk. Train times can also be checked via National Rail Enquiries.

Meanwhile TransPennine Express (TPE) is urging passengers to plan their Easter travel in advance with strike action set to cause significant disruption.

Strike action by the Rail, Maritime and Transport Union is due to take place on both Easter Saturday and Easter Sunday, with only a very small number of trains in operation.

Customers making an essential journey should allow plenty of extra time to travel.