RAIL company First Great Western is bracing itself for visitors to this year's Royal International Air Tattoo at Fairford.

The firm is offering a special deal to customers who buy their rail ticket at stations or over the phone, giving them the chance to buy their entrance ticket at the same time (£24.95).

It is setting up a regular bus service from Swindon station to ferry passengers to the event.

The majority of visitors to the air display are expected on Saturday, July 20, when services leave London Paddington for Swindon at 6.30am. Services to Swindon from South Wales and Bristol Temple Meads run around every 30 minutes.

Fares from London Paddington are priced £23, booked before 6pm the day before travel. The fare is £9.70 from Bristol and £12.50 from Cardiff. For children aged between five and 15, rail travel is half price.

The bus service, priced £5, will take around 45 minutes dependent on traffic conditions.

n Tattoo tickets are available by ringing 0870 241 0303. They can also be bought from the Evening Advertiser's front reception desk in Old Town (up to Saturday, July 20).