NEW rail operator Wrexham & Shropshire will launch its services linking Oxfordshire with Shropshire and North Wales later this month.

The firm, which is part-owned by Chiltern Railways' parent company Deutsche Bahn, will begin operations on Monday, April 28, using hired coaches while it waits for the completion of overhauls on its own fleet.

The announcement comes after the company received its safety certificate and operating licence from the Office of Rail Regulation.

The 100mph trains, powered by Class 67 locomotives hired from freight firm English Welsh & Scottish Railway, will call at Banbury en route between London Marylebone, the West Midlands, Telford, Shrewsbury and Wrexham.

Due to rail competition rules, the stops at Banbury will only be to pick up northbound passengers and drop off southbound ones.

Andy Hamilton, managing director of Wrexham & Shropshire, said: "We're delighted to announce that we will be running trains from the end of this month and look forward to welcoming passengers on board.

"We've had tremendous support for our new rail service and have been working non-stop to get ready for the launch. I'm sure people will support our decision to use good quality hire trains until our own ones are ready - especially as it means we can launch the service earlier."