IT’S the last thing Chiltern Railways staff want to see first thing - a park-and-ride bus advertising its rivals.

Great Western Railway is taking competition for passengers to new extremes with its new ad campaign, which just happens to stop outside rival firm Chiltern's Oxford Parkway Station.

The Oxford Bus Company runs the 500 service from Oxford Rail Station, calling at stops in the city centre, Summertown, Oxford Parkway and Blenheim Palace.

GWR spokesman James Davis said: “The bus itself is a Euro 6 Micro Hybrid, and connects Oxford station with Blenheim Palace.

“The service conveniently serves the stop directly outside the front doors at Oxford Parkway – to which Chiltern staff have repeatedly asked for it to move down to the park-and-ride site to await its correct departure time.”

Oxford Bus Company buses feature a series of brightly coloured liveries including one for Oxford Pride.

Oxford Bus Company managing director Phil Southall said: “GWR’s branding on our bus is an extension of our on-going partnership with them which is going from strength to strength.

"The bus will be used across all City and Park & Ride routes and is achieving a lot of positive attention.

"The same opportunity has been offered to Chiltern Railways as we also have an on-going partnership with them.”