Festive fun fast tracked by Santa’s Express

WHAT KATI DID NEXT: I’M afraid my bah humbugging isn’t going too well this year. I appear to have received some Christmas spirit from somewhere.

I don’t know, maybe it’s old age or maybe it’s having young children but I have found myself weeping at the sight of any old man dressed up in a red suit.

And it’s true, a few scratty old strings of tinsel can reduce me to a blubbering wreck.

My family and I, having attended the pantomime last week, took our offspring to the East Lancashire Railway for their Santa special this weekend. It was absolutely fantastic.

We were greeted by the wonderful volunteers — without whom the railway couldn’t run and what a shame that would be — all dressed up as elves.

A few were attired as snowmen, make-up and all, and one who I think may not have got home after the works Christmas party from the previous night, was dressed as a fairy, all stubble and hairy legs.

As we wandered through a fantastic grotto, one member of our party wondered aloud whether Poundland had been ram-raided, but that was very cynical and after the mini bottle of sherry handed out with a mince pie, all included in the price, he calmed down somewhat.

After a quick cup of tea and some spurring chocolate peeled from the bottom of my handbag, we boarded the Santa Express and took our seats. Then along came the star attraction, Father Christmas.

All the children had been given a badge with their age on it and through his beard Santa was extremely adept at choosing the right present for the right age of child.

Under 3s received an expensive looking cuddly rabbit, which obviously sent the adults into a tizz about how they could afford to run these Santa Express days and how were they making any money out of it.

Only in the UK could we be worried about these things.

Finally, a mini brass band squeezed past the elves to play us a couple of carols, which had me on my knees weeping before the train finally steamed into Bury and deposited us on to the platform after a very enjoyable hour.

Much fun and highly recommended to all, but from next week I promise it will be bah humbug all the way.