Rail services across Britain will be ramped up from Sunday as demand for public transport is expected to grow due to lockdown restrictions easing.

Industry body the Rail Delivery Group (RDG) said services will increase from around 70% of pre-lockdown levels to 85%.

Hospitality businesses in England were allowed to reopen on Saturday, including restaurants, bars and cinemas.

Avanti West Coast will increase its timetable from six to eight trains per hour to and from London Euston from Monday.

This will return the Manchester and Birmingham routes to their usual frequencies of three trains per hour.

There will also be more services between Holyhead and Crewe.

Additional trains will be operated by Southern during peak times from Monday,

Routes which will see services boosted include Sutton-London Victoria via Selhurst, London Victoria-Epsom, London Bridge-Crystal Palace via Sydenham, and Clapham Junction-Milton Keynes.

Longer trains will be deployed on the London Bridge-Eastbourne via Lewes and London Bridge-Chichester via Horsham routes.

People are still being urged to avoid non-essential use of public transport.

Train companies have introduced a series of measures to help tackle coronavirus, including signs helping passengers stay two metres apart where possible, enhanced cleaning of carriages and vending machines selling face coverings at stations.

RDG director of nations and regions Robert Nisbet said: “While we are still asking people only to take the train if necessary, as the lockdown is eased further we are stepping up timetables and taking other steps so people can travel with confidence.

“In return, we want people to help us by avoiding the busiest times, wearing a face covering and checking the latest train information online before setting off.”