After nearly two months of shock, worry and stress, nobody would have thought sacked Longbridge workers and their families would have found some relief on the normally fraught UK railways.

But former MG Rover workers, their wives, husbands and children - thrown into uncertainty when the car giant collapsed in April - were welcomed aboard the first of five free train services to the seaside yesterday.

Virgin Trains is laying on the special trains from Longbridge station to the Devon resorts of Dawlish Warren, Dawlish, Teignmouth, Torquay and Paignton this week.

The trains will leave Longbridge railway station each morning for the three-hour direct journey with return trips every evening.

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."

More than 2,000 free seats were offered on the five return services, which will run each day until Friday.

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."

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

Yesterday's outgoing train left at 8.01am and, despite delays hitting elsewhere on the CrossCountry network after the Voyager trains had to be withdrawn for technical checks on Sunday night, the special MG Rover diesel locomotive service arrived at the seaside resorts a few minutes ahead of schedule. The return service left at about 5pm.

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