LONGER trains and some additional train services are to be provided by Great Western Railway (GWR), to help people returning to rail travel as the lockdown eases.

GWR, which operates train services from Dorset and Hampshire into London, says services will be increased in a 'phased approach' from Monday, April 12, prior to a further timetable changes on May 17.

From Monday services will return to about 70 per cent of pre-Covid levels – rising to around 90 per cent in mid-May.

GWR managing director Mark Hopwood said: "“As the gradual lifting of Covid-19 restrictions continues, we will be strengthening our busiest services and more of our long-distance services will run with nine or 10 carriages.

"We are also planning further additional services in our summer timetable, which starts on Sunday, May 16, which will bring us back to around 90 per cent of our usual timetable.

"You should now be able to see these in online journey planners so customers can plan future journeys and book ahead."