GWR is warning of significant disruption to its train services on Sunday due a reduced number of available staff.

The company is advising passengers to travel early on because the number of trains running will be significantly reduced, with long-distance routes between London Paddington and Bristol, including Swindon, and South Wales all the among the most affected.

It is lifting ticket restrictions so customers with tickets for Sunday, including advance fixed train tickets, can travel on Saturday and Monday if possible.

The company is citing a number of factors for the shortage, including the World Cup Final, the continued good weather and the start of the school holidays in some regions.

GWR Managing Director Mark Hopwood said: “We will have managers and volunteers throughout our network to help at stations and on board, but unfortunately we will not be able to deliver our planned timetable of services; and the trains we are able to operate will be extremely busy.

“I would encourage customers to travel on a different day if they are able to and we will happily offer refunds to those who choose not to travel.

“We are very sorry for the inconvenience this disruption will cause.”

The latest details of the revised timetable are available on the GWR website at www.gwr.com

Those who choose not to travel will be entitled to a full refund on their unused ticket and have the GWR £10 administration fee waivered.