RAIL passengers snapped up 10,000 free return rail tickets in just 24 hours following the biggest ever giveaway of its kind.

TransPennine Express, which runs trains on the Lakes Line from Oxenholme to Windermere, launched the campaign on Monday (February 5) to mark the introduction of the new fleet of 100mph Class 185 trains on its network across the North of England.

The campaign was also designed to get people to explore more environmentally-sound modes of transport by tempting them out of their cars and on to trains. Managing director of Transpennine Express Vernon Barker said: "We are delighted by the response to the offer. The new trains represent a £250 million investment in rail travel and we look forward to welcoming passengers aboard to see the impressive quality of these new trains."