Sunday trains are returning to rural communities in Cheshire East.

Northern has confirmed a 'landmark agreement' has been reached with conductors and the RMT Union that will allow the rail operator to restore more Sunday services in the North West.

From Sunday, November 15, five trains in each direction will be reintroduced on the Manchester to Stoke line, stopping at the likes of Macclesfield, Poynton, Adlington and Prestbury.

Warrick Dent, chief operating officer at Northern, said: "This is great news for the seven-day railway and a real step forward in the modernisation of Northern services across the North West.

"We're gonna start introducing services gradually over the winter to support the Christmas markets and, of course, priority on lines such as Clitheroe and Stoke which haven't seen any services for just over two years, and we will build that up over the coming weeks and months.

"I just want to say a thank you to customers for baring with us and for showing their patience.

"A really big thank you to everybody who's worked tirelessly behind the scenes to get this agreement and get this deal done.

"It's a fantastic, groundbreaking moment for us in modernising a seven-day railway for customers in the North West of England."

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Macclesfield MP Tim Roca has welcomed the news.

He said: "I know how frustrating the loss of these services has been, and how difficult reaching an agreement has proved.

"I have consistently pressed the Government to find a way forward, so I am delighted that this deal between Northern and the RMT will bring real improvements for local passengers.

"This is welcome news for people travelling to work, visiting family or heading out for Christmas shopping, and for local businesses welcoming visitors.

"This is a good step, and I will continue pressing for more Sunday services to build on the trains being restored.

"Credit to the Government, Northern and the RMT for working together to reach an agreement. People deserve a railway they can rely on seven days a week."