The first train of an improved rail service between Westbury and Swindon, which includes extra trains running through Trowbridge, Melksham and Chippenham, will set off on Sunday.

First Great Western’s draft timetable has an extra six trains a day in each direction from Monday to Saturday – meaning there will be one train about every two hours, including early morning and evening services in both directions.

There will also be an extra four trains on Sundays throughout the year, with at least one seasonal service connecting with the Westbury to Weymouth service in each direction.

The subsidised Trans Wilts Rail Service forms part of Wiltshire Council’s Local Sustainable Transport Fund project.

Funding for the project came after the council successfully bid for a Department for Transport grant of £4.25m, which will support the improved service for three years.

John Thomson, cabinet member for highways, said: “The service will bring real social and economic benefits to the people of Wiltshire but the funding is only for three years so it’s important that people use the service now so it can be sustainable into the future.”