New ticket machines which promise to make railway travel easier are due to be unveiled at Bicester railway station on May 9.

The touch-screen ticket machine is part of a £1.7m project by Chiltern Railways to upgrade its ticket sales system along its route between Birmingham and London Marylebone.

Ticket machines will sell single and return tickets to most UK destinations, as well as 7 day season tickets - the first time such tickets have been available from self-service machines. Customers can pay by cash or credit/debit card.

Chiltern's marketing manager David Whitley said: "As passenger numbers have increased, so too has the demand on our ticket offices.

"While some customers like the opportunity to discuss their travel requirements directly with a member of staff, there are plenty of people who know what ticket they need.

"Self-service ticket machines are ideal for this type of transaction."