Hundreds of thousands of discounted tickets will be available for South West Trains passengers during January and February as the company’s biggest ever weekend winter offer was launched.

‘Winter Smiles’ tickets can be purchased from today for travel on any Saturday or Sunday up until February 23 for just £10 same day return per adult, and £5 per child.

Passengers will be able to travel to and from any two South West Trains stations across the majority of its network.

Arthur Pretorius, deputy customer service director for the South West Trains Network Rail Alliance, said: “This is our best offer to date for everybody within our area to go and explore what our region has to offer, or visit friends and family for a bargain price. We hope it will encourage more people to try the train and enjoy a great day out.”

The Winter Smiles tickets can be purchased online now or on the day of travel from any staffed South West Trains station, or from ticket vending machines from Friday, January 17.

Tickets can also be purchased in advance online at southwestrains.co.uk or by phoning 0845 6000 650.

A destination map can be found on the website southwesttrains.co.uk/destination-guides.aspx