A RAIL operator hopes to restore a full timetable to its West Country service by Monday.

Landslides caused by the recent heavy rainfall have disrupted the South West Trains route from London Waterloo to Yeovil, which runs through Basingstoke, Overton and Whitchurch.

Engineers will carry out work this weekend on the line between Exeter and Yeovil, and there will be a bus replacement service between Axminster and Exeter St Davids.

Tim Shoveller, managing director of the South West Trains-Network Rail alliance, thanked rail passengers for their patience.

He added: “We are sorry for the disruption they have experienced to their journeys.

“Our engineers have worked very hard to complete the necessary repair work as quickly as possible. However, it was vital that they also took the time to ensure that all the necessary infrastructure was restored before a full service could run on the line.”