RAIL travel ground to a halt this morning as train guards took part in the first of a series of one-day strikes.

Central Trains made arrangements for tickets to be used on bus services.

Cross-country services run by Virgin Trains were the most badly affected, with 90 per cent of journeys cancelled.

But First Great Western was due to be operating a normal table today. It was one of the eight companies to agree to the demands of members of the Rail Maritime and Transport Workers Union.

Foregate Street

Thames Trains said virtually all services from Worcester, Malvern and Hereford would run as normal but there could be a very small number of cancellations.

Worcester's Foregate Street station was all but deserted this morning, and staff issued messages over the tannoy urging passengers to find other arrangements.

Tom Travitzky, of Henwick Road, said he supported the strike if it would improve services.

"Central Trains are pretty dire with the information that they give to passengers," said the 43-year-old, who works at Sainsbury's in Blackpole

Alan Brace, a 58-year-old accountant from Barbourne, said it was the first time in a month he had tried to catch a train. "The one day I want to use the train and there's a strike," he said.

Strike action has been planned for Monday, March 31, and Thursday, April 17.