What sets you up better for a long train journey than the veritable institution that is the Great British Breakfast? Especially when it's enjoyed in the comfort of Virgin Trains' first class carriages. On weekend mornings throughout June, breakfasts and brunches will be complimentary to those upgrading to First Class on trains running from London Euston to Birmingham, Wolverhampton, Liverpool, Preston and Manchester. If you've already got a Standard Anytime ticket, the upgrade's free- although those using Standard Class tickets will need to factor in a £15 surcharge.
The West Coast Mail Line's just been subject to a £9 billion modernisation scheme, and the breakfast offer is the latest development to be trialled. Complimentary dining's already on offer during the week, always with emphasis on British produce. Let's hope the scheme's warmly received, so we can carry on tucking into such delights as outdoor-reared British pork and herb sausages, sweetcure back bacon, free-range fried eggs, potato rosti and grilled tomato long after June is out. For those of you with a modicum of self-restraint, the nice people at Virgin are even putting on a fruit plate.