A RAIL partnership has been giving refugees trips to the north Essex seaside. 

The Essex and South Suffolk Community Rail Partnership has been working with charities Refugee Asylum Seeker and Migrant Action.

The partnerships hosted 47 people from countries spanning the globe, in order to help refugees and asylum seekers adapt to life in Essex.

People from Albania, South Sudan, Russia and Iran, who are now living in Colchester, were taken on a day trip via train, to find out more about public transport and places further afield to explore.

It saw families travel on a special Greater Anglia Bucket and Spade train, from Colchester Town station, visiting Walton.

Children onboard enjoyed a visit from a magician, as well as a complimentary lunch, both provided by Essex Path to Prosperity.

Every child onboard was also gifted a bucket and spade.

Terri Ryland of the Essex and South Suffolk Community Rail Partnership, said, “Every summer, we run a series of ‘Bucket and Spade’ train trips in partnership with Greater Anglia.

"The trips offer local families a bargain day out at the seaside and demonstrate how easy it is to get there by train.

“This event was even more special as it was a Bucket and Spade train for refugees who are new to the area.”