Train operator First TransPennine Express (FTPE) has launched a TV advertising campaign in support of great value fares and fantastic destinations across the North of England and into Scotland. To coincide with the launch of the ‘Great Value’ campaign one lucky customer will also win a year’s free travel courtesy of FTPE.

Working with the famed animators Aardman, creators of the Wallace and Gromit series and kids classics such as Chicken Run and Flushed Away, FTPE is returning to the small screen with a revitalised, fun, colourful and catchy themed advert that will air for eight weeks from Monday 2nd July.

The advert will be hosted on www.tpexpress.co.uk and visitors to the website will be given the chance to view the advert and enter a prize draw to win a year’s free travel with FTPE.

Dubbed “Explore for Less”, the campaign is focused on and promotes savings of over 50 per cent on train tickets across the FTPE network when booked in advance via www.tpexpress.co.uk .

To enter the free prize draw and view the terms and conditions all customers have to do is visit www.tpexpress.co.uk/free-travel and leave their contact details.

Those interested in free travel for a year must register their interest on the website by Friday 31st August 2012.

There is even a chance to name FTPE’s new cartoon cow, which appears in the TV advert and in many of FTPE’s publications.

The new TV advert features an unadventurous stay at home character, who along with his dog ‘Woof’ is inspired to embark on a rail adventure and explore fantastic destinations including Blackpool, Edinburgh, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle and the Lake District.

Actress Jane Horrocks has been selected as the voiceover for her friendly recognisable Northern accent.

Victoria Tomlinson, Marketing Manager at First TransPennine Express commented,

“Our new advert is fun, engaging and quirky and we are delighted to have been able to work with the world famous Aardman studio and the Northern icon Jane Horrocks.

“There are some great savings to be had travelling to fantastic destinations across the north of England and into Scotland.

“The free travel for a year is brilliant prize for one lucky winner but everyone can benefit by buying in advance at www.tpexpress.co.uk and saving over 50 per cent.”

FTPE’s new advert is likely to be seen by close to 10 million people when it is broadcast on ITV, Ch4 and Ch5 in primetime programmes such as Big Brother, Emmerdale, A Touch of Frost , Midsummer Murders, Hollyoaks, You’ve Been Framed and The Simpsons.