To coincide with the launch of its ‘groups winter sale’, Northern has issued a warning about unacceptable behaviour by hen, stag, and sten parties.

The ‘groups winter sale’ provides a reduction of 75% in the price of tickets for groups of ten people or more for travel when they make a booking e before Monday, 6 November and travel between then and Thursday, 29 February next year.

Northern’s travel network covers many towns, cities, seaside resorts, and rural locations that are popular for pre-wedding and civil ceremony celebrations. It has therefore asked groups such as hen, stag, and sten parties to show consideration to other customers, moderate the amount of alcohol they drink on-board, and show respect to train crew and station staff.

Among those eligible for the discount are sports teams, walking parties, and other social groups. Northern is also encouraging anyone who is travelling in large groups with friends, family, or colleagues to plan ahead and take advantage of the discount.

Youth groups already benefit from reduced-price child fares, but as part of the ‘group travel sale’ can also benefit by an additional 50%-off for groups of ten or more.

‘Group travel sale’ tickets must be purchased in advance of travel, and are only available online at www.northernrailway.co.uk/tickets/group-travel.

Mark Powles, commercial and customer director at Northern, said: “Our network connects people to the best nightlife, attractions, activities and landscapes the North of England has to offer – and with our ‘groups winter sale’ there’s never been a better time to book.

“We do, however, have a responsibility to all our customers to ensure large groups show respect to other passengers, our trains and colleagues.”

Powles added: “We want everyone to make the train their number one choice for group travel and hope that our ‘groups winter sale’ will help convert groups like these from road to rail.”