TRADERS are concerned over a Christmas shopping train which is providing the first direct rail link between East Lancashire and London in almost a decade.

The service, that will call at Blackburn, Accrington, and Burnley on Saturday, is believed to the first direct train to the capital since a day tripper train by St James Church, Blackburn, in 1997.

Organisers said the journey was primarily aimed at people who wanted to do Christmas shopping in London, which has led to condemnation from Blackburn traders, who said people should be spending their money in the town and not in the capital.

After picking up passengers in East Lancashire the train will pass over the Pennines and down the East Coast Main Line, arriving in Kings Cross station just before noon.

A diesel locomotive will haul former Intercity carriages and will have a capacity of around 500. More than 300 seats have already been booked.

Phil Ainsworth, chairman of Blackburn town centre marketing committee, said: "I find it very disappointing that people are disappearing out of Blackburn to do their Christmas shopping."

He said the committee were trying to encourage shoppers back into the town for Christmas time and initiatives like this did not help.

John Melia, tour manager for Liverpool-based Compass Tours, which operates one-off tours around the country, said: "We are not trying to take anything away from Blackburn, it's simply a service to London for the day. Blackburn will always be here, this service is a one-off.

"It's not just for shoppers.

"I am sure some people will take advantage of the opportunity to see attractions like the London Eye or the Tower of London."

Alan Benson, secretary of the Support the East Lancashire Line Association (STELLA), said regular direct train services from East Lancashire to London ceased in the 1960s.

The train will call at Blackburn Cherry Tree at 7.20am, Blackburn central station at 7.30am, Accrington 7.42am, and Burnley Manchester Road at 7.55am. It will arrive at Kings Cross at 11.55am and the return journey will depart at 6.24pm.

For more information call 0151 722 1147.