THE first trains from Oxford Parkway to London Marylebone left its platform this morning.

Early passengers were able to catch the first service to London Marylebone at 5.42am, with the main commuter train leaving at 7.24am.

It follows yesterday's "dress rehearsal" that saw a service run from Oxford Parkway to Bicester Village, Haddenham and Thame Parkway and Islip.

A thousand extra passengers are expected to use the Oxford line every morning from the £130m station.

The new track is the first linking a major city to London for more than 100 years.

Chiltern Railways managing director Rob Brighouse said: "We've been working on this project for years and it's great that everything has worked out as planned.

"It's all been quite emotional, at the moment I'm just nervous but also excited."

Rakash Bashir, from Kidlington, bought his son Isaac, 11, to catch the first train.

He said: "My son is on half term, and because our home is right behind the station I thought this would be a great thing for us to do.

"This is a poignant moment in our lives and I'm glad we could enjoy it."