IN THE run up to Christmas it is easy to get weighed down by all the endless shopping and hunting for presents.

News Shopper has teamed up with Cathedrals Express - England's leading steam train operator - to offer three lucky readers a trip for two people on a pre-Christmas Day trip which will turn Christmas shopping into a treat.

On November 24 there is a shopping special to York, where the city centre is only minutes from the station, which offers an array of shops in and around the medieval pedestrianised streets.

December 1 sees a day trip to Bath to coincide with the Christmas Market which has more than 100 Christmas stalls as well as the city's individual and specialist shops.

The train goes to Lincoln on December 7 for the Christmas Fayre, held in the cobbled streets under the Cathedral walls, the largest Christmas Market in the UK.

The historic green carriages are all festively decorated and friendly and efficient staff are waiting to greet passengers as they board the train.

For those people who would rather join the train nearer home, there are a number of out of London pick-up points. Depending on destination, these include Woking, Staines, Clapham Junction, Leatherhead, Redhill, Dorking and Stevenage.

For Cathedral Express, call 01483 209888.