Seaside trips for Rover families

Gemma Cartwright said she was thankful for the opportunity

Families of MG Rover workers made redundant when the company collapsed are taking advantage of free train services to seaside resorts in Devon.

The free trips with Virgin Trains depart from Longbridge every day this week to Dawlish Warren, Dawlish, Teignmouth, Torquay and Paignton.

Virgin said they expect about 1,000 families to accept their offer.

Gemma Cartwright, who organised a protest for workers in London, said she was thankful for the opportunity.

Five services

"I am quite excited," she told BBC News 24.

"For the children it will be absolutely brilliant. They will be able to get on and do things and be able to take their minds away, they are out of the situation in Birmingham and can enjoy themselves because at home it has been quite stressful.

"Each week you learn something different... with supply chains collapsing each week we are finding out something new."

More than 2,000 free seats were offered on the five services, which will run from Monday until Friday 3 June.

'Trade unions grateful'

Families will be entertained on their journey by a clown and a team of face painters and they will receive a complimentary snackbox as they travel to and from the seaside.

Virgin CrossCountry managing director Chris Gibb said: "We are delighted to be able to offer these families free trips to the sea at a time when such help may be especially appreciated.

"We have worked closely with the Longbridge trades unions TGWU, GMB and Amicus, Birmingham City Council and Teignbridge District Council in the organisation of the offer.

"We look forward to welcoming as many families as possible on board our trains. All tickets for the trains have now been distributed by the trades union."

An MG Rover Works Committee representative thanked Virgin Trains and the train drivers' union Aslef, adding: "The trades unions are grateful for the generous offer at this difficult time."