FAMILIES looking forward to taking a day trip to Weymouth on the train this summer will not have to wait, after a change to the timetable.

The summer timetable from Westbury to Weymouth has been brought forward and seaside-bound trains will now run from Easter Sunday, instead of from May.

This means that trains will leave Westbury at 9.12am and 10.20am and return at 4.10pm, 5.56pm and 8.09pm, allowing a full day out.

Cllr Horace Pickett, portfolio holder for passenger transport at Wiltshire Council, said: “Great Western Railway came forward with the idea and we then negotiated with them to make it happen.

“This is great news for parents and grandparents who want to take their kids to the seaside for the whole day, as that isn’t possible with the winter timetable.

“During the school holidays, I encourage as many families as possible to take a trip to Weymouth to dip their toes in the water and build sandcastles: a grand day out.”

The summer timetable will run until the end of the year.

Great Western Railway is still offering a 34 per cent discount on off-peak services on the Westbury to Weymouth line for holders of Wiltshire Council bus passes, on the same conditions as when travelling by bus.

For more information, visit https://www.gwr.com/