TRAIN services through Worcestershire and across the country are set to be disrupted with rail workers staging a 48-hour strike from Wednesday evening.

Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport Union working for First Great Western will walk out from 6.30pm on Wednesday in a row over job cuts and maintenance of new Hitachi trains.

Services between Worcester and Hereford via Malvern and Ledbury as well to London, running through Pershore, Evesham, Moreton-in-Marsh and beyond will be affected.

Although representatives from the union had been in talks with First Great Western to avoid the strike, these broke down this week.

The union’s general secretary Mick Cash accused the company have having “shown no intention” of addressing their concerns.

"(The union) is angry and disappointed that the company have ignored the massive vote for action by their staff and have instead opted to plough ahead with a series of actions that will decimate jobs, services and safety,” he said. “As a result of First Great Western collapsing the talks in this cavalier fashion the action goes ahead as planned.”

Mr Cash added union members will be holding picket lines outside stations demonstrating against the plans.

A First Great Western spokesman said: "All we want is to make sure our services give the best possible deal for our passengers.

“These brand new trains have been designed to deliver more seats and faster, more frequent journeys for passengers – but we can't deliver those if they are operated in the same way as the 40-year-old trains that run today.”

He added the company had made assurances to staff about job security and had worked to address the union’s concerns.

"While it is disappointing that the RMT were not able to take this proposal away today, we believe a negotiated solution to these proposals is possible and are keen to continue discussions as soon as possible," he said.

Cricket fans planning to travel to Cardiff for the Ashes Test will also be disrupted and are advised to make alternative plans.

Information on cancelled services and alternative arrangements will be available at stations.