A train operator has issued a last call for students to get their under 16 education season tickets before sales close.

The special ticket has been developed by Northern in partnership with 124 secondary schools and university technical colleagues, offering students up to 75 per cent off the normal adult fare – saving as much as £575 a year on some routes.

Sales for these tickets will close on Friday, January 20.

From Monday, January 23, anyone caught travelling on the rail network in England without a valid ticket for travel or "promise to pay" card will be issued with the government’s new £100 penalty fare.

Northern has been working hard to combat student fare evasion, which often takes place when students are travelling relatively short distances between rural and suburban station which do not have ticket barriers.

With the new penalty fare coming in on Monday, Northern is appealing to students – and their parents – to take advantage of the education season ticket and the savings it offers.

Mark Powles, commercial and customer director at Northern, said: “The Under 16 education season ticket offers savings that can be worth hundreds of pounds per year.

“Having one also means a student always has the means to get to and from school – and won’t succumb to peer pressure, travel without a ticket, and risk being issued with a £100 penalty fare.

“It’s no way to spend your pocket money – don’t risk it!”

A full list of participating schools can be found at: www.northernrailway.co.uk/tickets/educational-season.

Parents whose children attend a school or university technical college not currently in the scheme should email education@northernrailway.co.uk so that Northern can make contact with them.