AHEAD of this weekend's Great North Run, LNER has announced an extra service from Edinburgh to help runners and spectators arrive on Tyneside in time.

One of six additional journeys being added by the rail operator, the train will leave Edinburgh Waverley station at 7.05am on Sunday, September 10.

The service will call at Dunbar (7.28am), Berwick-upon-Tweed (7.55am), Alnmouth (8.17am), Morpeth (8.32am), and arriving at Newcastle at 8.45am.

Warrick Dent, safety and operations director at LNER, said: “We’re delighted to support those taking part in the Great North Run and their supporters.

"Many thousands of people will be making their way to Newcastle for this great event and our services will bring them into the heart of the city.

"We encourage people to plan and book ahead as trains are likely to be very popular and we recommend customers make sure they have a seat reservation for the most comfortable journey.”

A team representing LNER will also be taking part in the Great North Run, raising funds for the operator's partner charity, the Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM).

Runners joining the non-elite event at 11am are advised to be at the assembly area no later than 10.45am in time for the mass warm up.

An advance, standard class, single ticket on the 7.05am LNER service will cost £24.90.

Return services with a number of rail operators will run throughout the afternoon and evening on Sunday, with the final service leaving Newcastle at 10.10pm and arriving in Edinburgh at 11.35pm.

Return journeys to the Borders can be made using ScotRail services or with Borders Buses.

Tickets can be bought through LNER directly at: www.lner.co.uk