A bucket and spade are the star duo of a light hearted new campaign from the TransPennine Express.

Created by The&Partnership Manchester, the campaign encourages everyone to make the most of getting together. The story follows a bucket and spade cramming in a range of activities on a day trip.

As their journey progresses they meet many characters that bring to life the moments of joy a day trip can bring. Such characters include a set of bagpipes huffing and puffing on a hill walk, a paint pot and brush visiting an art gallery and a torch and battery enjoying a movie at the cinema.

Bill Withers’ classic ‘Lovely Day’ provides the uplifting soundtrack to the adventure. While a dose of humour is provided by visual gags like the spade throwing some popcorn in the cinema. The spot was directed by Catherine Prowse through Blinkink.

Adam McGowan and Danny O’Keeffe, Associate Creative Directors, explained: “We wanted to bring even more creativity and joy into train travel, showing how we can all make the most of getting together across the region. It’s a campaign that’s packed full of little laughs and smiles along the way.”

Spanning across TV, online video, outdoor, radio, press, social and digital, this is the second outing for the characters. They first hit screens back in 2019 to mark the launch of TransPennine Express' new Nova fleet.

Darren Higgins, Commercial Director at TransPennine Express, added: "We're proud to unveil our new campaign centred around how we help bring people together - providing lovely days out to beautiful beaches, big cities, and country escapes.

He continued: "We wanted to demonstrate that every meeting can have a little extra meaning when you take a train with TransPennine Express."

The campaign successfully builds on the brand's strategy of making journeys better, which includes a focus on inspiring and encouraging days out across the network. A timely reminder in the dark days of February that brighter days are ahead.