A LANDMARK event is taking place as a train becomes the first in East Anglia to host a special music event for people with dementia.

A Greater Anglia train travelling from Witham to Braintree is hosting the dementia-friendly event.

The 1.30pm service from Witham to Braintree on December 7 will be putting on the entertainment and is free for everyone to ride.

Anyone with dementia, alongside their careers, will be able to come along to the event and enjoy music from a live saxophonist during the journey.

This will be followed by a visit to Braintree Town Hall for refreshments and Christmas cake.

The unique, one-off event has been organised by the Essex and South Suffolk Community Rail Partnership along with Braintree Council.

The project was also supported by train operator Greater Anglia.

Rebecca Richardson, Greater Anglia’s accessibility manager, said: “It’s important to us that the railway in East Anglia is accessible to everyone, including those living with dementia and other hidden disabilities.

“So, we are pleased to have worked with the Essex and South Suffolk CRP to facilitate this event designed to help make rail travel accessible to more people.”

Nearly 20,000 people in Essex are estimated to be living with dementia, and this is set to increase to over 25,000 in the next 10 years.

Last year, Braintree rail station became the first ‘dementia-friendly’ station in Essex.

That was thanks to a partnership between Greater Anglia, the Essex and South Suffolk CRP, Braintree Council and the Alzheimer’s Society.

June Povey, community rail officer for the Essex and South Suffolk CRP is training to become a dementia champion.

She said: “It’s so important that the railway is accessible and inclusive, and we are pleased to be able to offer a supported event to help those living with dementia and their carers enjoy an independent, fun day out.

“We hope that this will also help to build confidence about travelling by train in the future.”

Tickets are limited to 40 and are available at esscrp.org.uk.