Members of the Cotswolds Line Promotion Group are pressing for the railway line to be upgraded between Oxford and Moreton-in-Marsh.

They say the number of trains and passengers on the line has virtually doubled since much of the line was reduced to a single track in 1970.

Oliver Lovell is the spokesman for the group, which has about 2,000 members and is the second largest railway pressure group in the country. He said: "At peak times, the trains are full, with people standing.

"We would like to see additional trains, but that means there has got to be additional track."

In 1961, there were nine trains each way stopping at Charlbury Station on weekdays and just two each way on Sundays. Now, there are 15 each way on weekdays and 11 on Sundays.

At Long Hanborough in 1978, there were three trains each way during the week, now there are 12 each way.

Mr Lovell said: "There has been a tremendous increase in numbers since the track was reduced to a single line and the capacity is now at saturation point.

"There is an urgent need to upgrade the route, both in terms of signalling and additional double track.

"We would love to see an hourly service."