COMMUTERS travelling to Reading Festival by train seemed unaffected by the planned train strikes this weekend.

First Great Western's planned strike began yesterday and will run until Monday August 31, after the rail company failed to come to an agreement with the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union to cancel the strike, following a disagreement over new trains.

People were warned to expect delays if they planned on using the rail network to travel to town.

But a group of friends, who have travelled from the Midlands in the early hours of the morning to catch a glimpse of Metallica tonight, said they didn't have any problems.

One of the men, who didn't want to be named, said: "The strikes haven't affected us at all.

"We have just taken the train here from Birmingham without any problems."

A resident, from Bracknell, said he thought the services were running as normal.

He said: "I didn't have a problem getting here, there doesn't seem to be any difference."

A sign projected on the screen at Reading Train Station this morning did however warn passengers that problems are to be expected.

The sign read: "Trains may be very busy and there will be limited food and drink services on board.

"The last trains of the day are likely to leave significantly earlier than normal."