TICKETS for the Cotswold Line Promotion Group's summer excursion to Weymouth are now on sale to members of the public.

The day trip to the Dorset resort is on Saturday, September 24, and will take place in a High Speed Train provided by Great Western Railway.

Many tickets have been snapped up by members of the group, which represents passengers on the rail route between Oxford, Worcester and Hereford, but they are now on general sale to members of the public.

A limited number of first class tickets are still available, along with 150 seats in standard class.

The train will leave Oxford at 6.45am, calling at Hanborough, Charlbury, Ascott-under-Wychwood, Shipton, Kingham, Moreton-in-Marsh, Honeybourne, Evesham, Pershore and Worcester Shrub Hill.

It will leave Worcester at 8.15am, for a direct run to Weymouth, arriving at 11.35am.

The return train will depart from Weymouth at 4.55pm, making the same stops as the outward journey to drop off passengers, arriving in Worcester at 9.10pm.

Standard class tickets are £45 for adults and £18 for children. First class tickets are £95. Children under five can travel free.

CLPG chairman John Ellis said: "We are looking forward to seeing friends old and new on the train and returning to Weymouth after a gap of almost 20 years. I would like to thank GWR for once again making an HST available to us."

To book tickets, send a letter stating how many tickets you want to buy, your address and a telephone number, along with a cheque for the relevant amount, made payable to the CLPG, to Brian Clayton (CLPG), Newhaven, Greenway Road, Blockley, Moreton-in-Marsh, GL56 0ET. All applications must include a stamped addressed envelope, which will be used to send out tickets in September.

Anyone who would like confirmation of a booking is asked to provide an email address or an extra SAE.

Inquiries can be made to Mr Clayton on 01386 701528 or bcclayton@btinternet.com. Anyone requiring first class seats is advised to check availability before booking.