Today’s train services are due to be particularly busy as people travel home to be reunited for Christmas, says rail company GWR.

With Christmas falling on a weekend this year, the train operator has released details about which services will be packed.

Trains today (December 23) and Monday, December 27 were due to be most in demand, with trains leaving between 10am and 2pm being the busiest of all.

GWR is asking those travelling to book in advance, remember they must reserve a seat, and try to travel at quieter times for the best experience.

The company warns that services immediately before and after the Christmas weekend will be busiest.

There is also engineering work looming, although not in Devon and Cornwall.

Work in the Bristol and Gloucestershire areas will extend beyond the usual Christmas Day and Boxing Day shutdown, affecting train services from Monday 27 to Friday 31 December.

During this time, sections of track either side of Bristol Parkway will be renewed, to ensure the continued safe and reliable running of the railway.

A bridge is also being replaced between Gloucester and Cam & Dursley on behalf of the Cotswold Canals Connected Project to allow boats to pass under the railway.

GWR head of customer experience Samantha Bala said: ’We have been working hard to make sure that people can be confident to travel safely, and that includes running as many trains and carriages as we can to make extra room, as well as enhanced cleaning and social distancing measures.

’Please do, however, plan ahead, reserve a seat, and be considerate of others.’

Great Western Railway (GWR) operates trains across the Great Western franchise area, which includes the Westcountry.

Among its services is the new daily passenger service between Okehampton and Exeter.