RAIL enthusiasts promoting the Cotswold line are holding their 23rd annual meeting this Saturday.

The Cotswold Line Promotion Group was founded in 1978 to safeguard, improve and promote train and bus feeder services in the area.

Members will meet at the WI Hall in Moreton-in-Marsh from 10.45am where the guest speaker will be Terry Worrall, general manager of Thames Trains.

Improvements

The summer train timetable comes into force on Sunday, May 20, and contains some significant improvements including the Paddington to Moreton-in-Marsh service running on to Worcester Shrub Hill each day.

"Since 1970, when much of the Worcester to Oxford line was made single, the number of trains and passengers carried has virtually doubled," said promotions officer, Steve Lovell.

"With little capacity remaining for further service improvements, there is now an urgent need to upgrade the route, both in terms of signalling and additional double track."