A strike is disrupting train services in Oxfordshire over the Bank Holiday weekend.

Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union are walking out for three days from today, due to a row over new trains with First Great Western.

The company said only the service from Worcester to Oxford would be running this weekend, which will affect music fans trying to get to the Reading Festival.

The RMT union said it has not been given assurances that engineer jobs will be protected, is opposed to driver-only operation, and disagrees with the proposed removal of buffet facilities.

Talks took place earlier this week between rail and union bosses to try and avert the strike action, but no agreement could be reached.

RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: "Despite strenuous and continuing efforts by our negotiators we have not been able to secure the kind of progress we hoped for in the key areas of jobs, services and safety for us to reach an agreement.

"As a result we have no option but to push ahead with the action planned for this weekend.

“RMT remains available for talks."

A FGW spokesman accused the RMT of “unfairly” disrupting passenger services and the economy.

The spokesman said: “The RMT says this is about protecting jobs, services and safety.

“But in truth they've had a series of concessions on the table for over a month that won't see a single member of train staff lose their jobs, means more services not less, and is based on a method of operating trains that has worked safely across the UK rail network for decades.

"It looks very likely that after this weekend the RMT will have once again unfairly disrupted our passengers, the economies of the communities we serve, and will have asked every one of their members to go without a week's worth of pay when they've already got what they asked for."

The strike – which has been timed to take place as scores of families hope to travel - will result in only 70 per cent of rail services running tomorrow and on Monday.

For further information visit firstgreatwestern.co.uk