May 23, 2007 23:00 BST Virgin CrossCountry confirms additional seats on West Country trains again this summer

Virgin Trains confirmed today that it will be providing thousands of additional seats on peak Summer Saturday trains serving the busy resorts of Torbay and Newquay again this year. Tickets are now on sale and seat reservations can be made. These trains have proved extremely popular in past seasons, so customers are urged to book early to get the best deal on fares.

Virgin CrossCountry will use eight or nine coach High Speed Trains on these extra services, which are capable of carrying over 400 passengers each. The trains are being hired from Great North Eastern Railway (2) and (2) each weekend and will be used on services to and from the key South West holiday resorts of Paignton and Newquay.

The High Speed Train operated services will run on Summer Saturdays 25 May through until 2 June. These trains will also run on Saturdays 7 July to 8 September. Virgin Voyager trains will operate between 9 and 30 June.

Ø 10.32 Paignton to Newcastle Ø 09.40 Newquay to Newcastle Ø 15.22 Newquay to Manchester Piccadilly Ø 07.24 Manchester Piccadilly to Newquay Ø 09.40 Newcastle to Newquay

Virgin CrossCountry Managing Director Chris Gibb said: “ We are pleased to support the local tourist economy of the South West again this year by providing additional trains for holidaymakers travelling from the North East, the North West and the Midlands to Paignton and Newquay. Not only do these extra trains keep hundreds of cars off the roads on Summer Saturdays, they also encourage visitors to use public transport whilst on holiday. We are grateful to our colleagues in Midland Main Line and GNER for providing their trains to allow us to operate these services.”

Kim Harris, Manager of Newquay Tourist Information Centre said: “Newquay is going from strength to strength and ’ summer Saturday through trains play a very important part in bringing holidaymakers to the resort, helping boost the local economy.”

The full range of Virgin Value tickets will be available on these trains and customers are advised to book as early as possible to get the best deal. For that little extra luxury of First Class travel and complimentary drinks, Virgin Weekend Upgrade is available from just £10 on the day of travel. Bookings can be made at staffed stations, rail appointed travel agents, by telephone (08457 222 333) or online at www.virgin.com/trains

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Contacts

Virgin Trains Press Office Press Contact [email protected] 0845 000 3333