PASSENGERS are being warned to expect significant disruption on the railway network this Saturday due to a combination of industrial action and local sporting events.

The train drivers' union ASLEF has announced strike action at 16 train operating companies on Saturday, September 30 and Wednesday, October 4, as well as a ban on overtime from Monday, October 2 to Friday, October 6.

It comes as the local area has a number of sporting fixtures expected to attract crowds on Saturday, with Chester Racecourse hosting its Oktoberfest-themed raceday, Chester FC taking on Nantwich Town in the FA Cup and Wrexham playing Crewe Alexandra in League Two.

While Transport for Wales (TfW) and Merseyrail are not involved in industrial action, and their services will be running, other train operators' services such as Northern and Avanti West Coast will have no trains running that day. Northern Rail has also confirmed there will be no replacement bus services.

TfW added: "Some of our services are likely to be extremely busy as a result of the severely-reduced timetable put in place by other operators."

Merseyrail reported: "There is currently a lot of news coverage of strike action in public transport companies.

"We understand strike action can be frustrating and confusing for our passengers. Often, Merseyrail is not involved in any strikes, however other operating companies that strike can impact the services which we provide."

Merseyrail has confirmed all of its trains will be running as normal.