RAIL services linking Ledbury, Malvern and Worcester are set to be disrupted over the summer as work is carried out to replace signalling equipment, some of it over 100 years old.

Although trains operated by both London Midland and Great Western will be affected between June and August, the work is intended to reduce delays caused by faulty equipment and make services more reliable in the longer term.

Train operators are warning travellers to be aware of the timetable alterations and plan accordingly.

According to London Midland, some of the signal equipment still in use dates back to the 1860s, when the line was first opened.

The work starts on Saturday, June 4, when the line between Worcester Shrub Hill and Droitwich Spa will be closed until Monday, June 13, with replacement coaches laid on.

On Saturday and Sunday, June 11 and 12, work will also be carried out in the Ledbury area, closing the line between Ledbury and Hereford, and again coaches will be provided.

The second phase of work will be between Saturday, June 18, and Wednesday, June 22, when the work is being carried out between Great Malvern and Colwall, and no services at all will run between Great Malvern and Hereford. Again, coach replacements will be provided.

The same restriction will also apply on: Saturday and Sunday, June 25 and 26, Saturday and Sunday, July 2 and 3, and Sundays, July 10 and 17.

The final planned closure on the line is set for Saturday-Wednesday, August 6-10, and more information about this work will be provided closer to the time.

A London Midlands spokesman said: "Parts of the signalling in these areas operate on a unique, bespoke system that was installed in the 1860s. The planned work includes refurbishing the system to improve performance, paving the way for greater reliability and fewer delays for passengers as part of Network Rail’s railway upgrade plan.

"The improvement works will also restrict access to our train maintenance depot at Worcester, which means even though a revised timetable will be running, there will also be changes in the number of carriages that will be on train services in the Worcester and Malvern areas."