Experience whooper swans like never before at this exclusive after hours event

LOOKING for that perfect Christmas gift for the nature lover in your life? Or want to treat yourself in the New Year?

WWT Martin Mere Wetland Centre is returning with the popular floodlit swan evenings on most Tuesdays in January.

Those attending the event can expect to join a warden in the comfort of the centre's Discovery Hide and watch as hundreds of whooper swans shine bright by floodlight on the water.

The event includes an insightful live commentary about the swan's amazing migratory journey from Iceland and why they spend the colder months at WWT Martin Mere.

Louise Clewley, Reserve Manager at WWT Martin Mere, said:- "The floodlit swan evening is such an unforgettable experience. The whooper swans will gather right in front of the Discovery Hide so you'll get the chance to see them extremely up close. The floodlight creates a beautiful atmosphere and you'll see the swans like you've never seen them before. In January, the mere is bursting full of activity from thousands of migratory species, such as pink footed geese, wigeons, and pintails. It's our busiest season on the mere, and there will be so much to see from our Discovery Hide"

The unique event starts after hours at:- 18:30 and ends at:- 20:00, and costs:- £8.50 (child), £11.80 (concession), and £13.10 (adult). Visit the WWT Martin Mere website to book your place.

Hundreds more customer information screens installed across the Northern network as part of £14 million upgrade

CUSTOMER information has been improved at even more Rail Stations across the Northern network with the installation of more than 100 new display screens at 77 Stations.

They feature white LEDs which can be seen from a further distance and the higher colour contrast also makes them more accessible for passengers with some visual impairments.

Train information is now displayed in a clear, easy to read format and is more informative about when trains are delayed. Safety messages will also be shown, such as:- 'short platform' guidance.

This brings the total number of screens installed to:- 387, at 167 Stations.

Full colour screens have been installed at some of Northern's larger Stations, including:- Bolton, Bradford Interchange and Sunderland.

Mark Powles, commercial and customer director at Northern, said:- "We are investing £14 million over the next 5 years to bring better and clearer information to passengers. Our new screens are more accessible and will make journeys easier for everyone."

The 77 Stations that have had new screens installed are:- Adlington (Cheshire), Ansdell & Fairhaven, Appleby, Arnside, Barnsley, Bentley (S. Yorks), Berry Brow, Blaydon, Bradford Interchange, Bramhall, Bramley (West Yorkshire), Brampton (Cumbria), Brierfield, Brockholes, Bryn, Buckshaw Parkway, Burscough Junction, Chassen Road, Chelford, Corbridge, Croston, Darton, Dent, Dinsdale, Dunston, Flimby, Gargrave, Garsdale, Glazebrook, Great Ayton, Green Road, Haltwhistle, Hammerton, Handforth, Harrington, Haydon Bridge, Headingley, Heighington, Holmes Chapel, Honley, Horton in Ribblesdale, Huncoat, Huyton, Kendal, Langwathby, Lazonby & Kirkoswald, Lea Green, Lockwood, Long Preston, Lytham, Maryport, Mauldeth Road, Morecambe, North Road (Darlington), Orrell, Parton, Pontefract Tanshelf, Prescot, Prudhoe, Rainhill, Ravenglass, Roose, Rufford, Saltaire, Sandbach, Seaton Carew, Sherburn-in-Elmet, Shildon, Shireoaks, Silkstone Common, South Bank, Squires Gate, St Helens Junction, Steeton & Silsden, Upholland, Wigton, and Workington.

Previously screens have been installed at:- Adlington (Lancashire), Adwick, Aspatria, Askam, Atherton, Bamford, Bare Lane, Battersby, Bempton, Blackrod, Bolton, Bolton-on-Dearne, Brighouse, Bromley Cross, Castleton (Greater Manchester), Castleton Moor, Chinley, Church & Oswaldtwistle, Clitheroe, Commondale, Conisbrough, Cross Gates (Yorks), Daisy Hill, Danby, Darwen, Denby Dale, Earlestown, East Garforth, Edale, Egton, Elsecar, Entwistle, Euxton Balshaw Lane, Farnworth, Flowery Field, Garforth, Glaisdale, Grindleford, Grosmont, Gypsy Lane, Hag Fold, Hall I' th' Wood, Halifax, Hapton, Hartlepool, Hatfield & Stainforth, Hathersage, Hattersley, Hebden Bridge, Hindley, Hope (Derbyshire), Ince, Irlam, James Cook University Hospital, Kirk Sandall, Langho, Lealholm, Leyland, Littleborough, Longbeck, Lostock, Marske, Marton, Mexborough, Micklefield, Millom, Mills Hill, Moston, Mytholmroyd, Nunthorpe, Padgate, Prestbury, Ramsgreave & Wilpshire, Redcar Central, Redcar East, Riding Mill, Saltburn, Sleights, Smithy Bridge, Stocksfield, Sunderland, Swinton (Greater Manchester), Thorne South, Todmorden, Ulleskelf, Walkden, Walsden, Wetheral, Westhoughton, Whalley, Whitby, Wombwell, Woodhouse and Wylam.