THERE'S an opportunity to celebrate the golden days of hop picking in the county at this weekend's Faversham Hop Festival (Septemnber 2 and 3).

A highlight of recent festivals has been the hop pickers steam train, The Spitfire, commissioned by Shepherd Neame.

On Saturday The Spitfire will travel from London Victoria to Faversham via Chislehurst, Tonbridge, Ashford, Canterbury, Ramsgate, Herne Bay and Whitstable.

On Sunday, and for the first time, the train will travel from Brighton to Faversham, via Lewes, Eastbourne, Hastings, Ashford, Dover and Canterbury East.

During the afternoon on both days, the train will make return trips from Faversham to Rochester.

Seats on the The Spitfire steam trains are limited so early booking is recommended. All passengers are allocated a reserved seat aboard the train of historic carriages dating from the 1950s and 1960s.

Afternoon trips cost £10 and £17.50 (children £7.50 and £12.50).

Return tickets from Ashford, leaving at 11.30am and returning at 6pm cost £25. For more information and bookings call 01795 542542 or book online at www.shepherdneame.co.uk.

FOR A FULL FESTIVAL GUIDE SEE THE WHAT'S ON MAGAZINE IN THE KM GROUP'S PAID-FOR NEWSPAPERS THIS WEEK