A NEW and improved train service is set to be launched in the new year.

Arriva Trains Wales, which operates the line to and from Penarth, has announced plans to enhance its Sunday service from January, 2017.

The improvements come into effect on Sunday, January 8, and will see an earlier first service introduced and the addition of an extra service.

The company says it hopes the new timetable will improve efficiency and help provide a better customer experience.

The trains will run roughly every two hours from after 9am up until just before 9pm in both directions.

The new times will see trains leave Cardiff Central for Penarth at the earlier time of 9.16am and then 11.16am, 1.16pm, 3.16pm, 5.16pm, 7.16pm with the last service departing at 8.31pm.

Trains from Penarth to Cardiff Central will run at 9.32am, 11.31am, 1.31pm, 3.31pm, 5.31pm, 7.32pm before the final train departs at 8.47pm.

Lynne Milligan, customer services director at Arriva Trains Wales, said: "For the new timetable, we have listened to our stakeholders and have enhanced our service provision where possible.

"These change will hopefully improve the efficiency of our operation and enable us to provide a better customer experience for our passengers.

"It is fantastic to be able to provide an earlier and more frequent service into Cardiff for our Penarth customers as more and more people wish to travel into Cardiff for work and leisure activities on a Sunday."

As some of the service times have changed, Arriva Trains Wales has urged all customers to check their journeys before they travel, which can be done via the on-line journey check service on www.arrivatrainswales.co.uk/check and the Arriva Trains Wales app.