THE North Yorkshire Moors Railway is celebrating the 75th anniversary of the original Wizard of Oz film in style with a themed train ride.

The Oz-fest which has been running throughout half term and finishes on June 2, is running alongside a flower festival at Pickering parish church.

Those travelling on the Wizard of Oz Story Train are invited to come in costume as any of the favourite characters from Oz, with characters to meet on the train, and fun activities at the stations along the line, with a stop off for lunch and exploration at Goathland, and games and entertainment at Levisham arriving back at Pickering at 2.40pm.

Visitors can also follow a trail of scarecrows from the station to Pickering Parish Church, to see stunning floral displays following the Oz theme.

The Wizard of Oz trails can be picked up from any NYMR booking office until the June 2, and returned to any booking office, shop or tea room to be in with a chance of winning a 2014 family ticket. Services run daily between Pickering and Whitby from 9am.

Danielle Ramsey, NYMR’s marketing manager, said: “When we heard that the Pickering Parish Church flower festival would be celebrating the Emerald City, we just had to jump on board.”

Tickets for the Wizard of Oz Story Train are priced at £45 for a family ticket.For more details, or to pre-book, visit www.nymr.co.uk or call (01751) 472 508.