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TransPennine Express heads up north to promote its new, faster trains across Scotland and northern England.

Set to Mr Sandman by The Chordettes, the ad follows a chipper beach bucket (which looks oddly like a McDonald's Happy Meal) as he embarks on a train journey to sunny Manchester. A series of inanimate objects make an appearance on the carriage, including a family of socks, a paintbrush and an old set of bagpipes (voiced by stars such as Ross Noble, Ashley Jensen and Julie Walters). The spot ends as the sand bucket protagonist arrives at his destination, Manchester Piccadilly, where he is greeted by his significant other – a spade.

Launched to promote the brand’s £500 million investment in northern transport, the work was created by Jonny Porthouse and Andy Lee, and directed by Joseph Mann through Blinkink. The media agency is The7stars, and the campaign will run across print, out of home and digital.