Passengers will send off one of the country's oldest trains in style with a special trip around the county.

The Branch Line Society, which runs events for rail enthusiasts, is hosting a charity rail tour to give people one last chance to ride on the Class 313 trains which are set to go out of service from May.

The trains, built as early as 1976, have served commuters across the country for the last 47 years. But they will be taken off the timetable later this year and replaced with more modern Class 377 trains.

The Argus: Unit 313201 is painted in British Rail colours - Pictured passing West Worthing sidings in March 2019Unit 313201 is painted in British Rail colours - Pictured passing West Worthing sidings in March 2019 (Image: Andrew Gardner / The Argus)

Jenny Saunders, customer services director at GTR which operates Southern, said: "We're really pleased to be working with the society on this rail tour which will raise money for two really worthwhile charities.

"It feels like a fitting send-off for our trains and I'd urge people to buy tickets and join in."

The day-long tour starts and finishes at Brighton Station on Saturday, April 29, with passengers taking in the sights and sounds from Portsmouth to Hastings among other destinations.

A spokesman for the Branch Line Society said: "The charter, operated by Southern, will feature a pair of Class 313s and will mark the sterling service the units have provided.

"The end of the line for the British Rail Engineering York PEP stock is rapidly approaching, so we have put together a ‘Coastway’ special with unusual lines to enjoy."

There will be a charity raffle on board, with all proceeds donated to the Chestnut Tree House Children's Hospice, and the Railway Children charity.

The Class 313s were introduced to the Southern network in 2010, serving coastway routes between Portsmouth, Brighton and Seaford. They have no air conditioning or toilets, while the new trains have both.

The full timing of the route is yet to be confirmed by Network Rail, however the Branch Line Society has shared the planned journey.

Brighton - Preston Park - Portsmouth Harbour - Bognor Regis - Barnham - Littlehampton - Hove - Three Bridges - Lewes - Eastbourne - Ore - Eastbourne - Lewes - Newhaven Marine - Lewes - Haywards Heath - Brighton

For more information and to buy tickets visit https://www.branchline.uk