Network Rail says a major upgrade of the line means there will be very restricted services between London and the Midlands from Saturday.

Virgin West Coast and Silverlink are the two companies affected.

The closure coincides with the Birmingham Motor Show which is taking place at the NEC.

Why does travelling on a Bank Holiday weekend always have to be so difficult? Damien Green Tory transport spokesman

Show visitors will be able to reach Birmingham International - the stop for the show - by travelling with Chiltern Railways, which is putting on extra, and longer, trains.

This is a much less direct route than would normally be available.

From Saturday until 6 June, there will be no Virgin services between Watford Junction and Lichfield Trent Valley or between Rugby and Coventry.

And on 5 and 6 June, all Virgin Cross Country trains between Bournemouth and Birmingham New Street will be diverted to call at Coventry and Birmingham International.

Conservative transport spokesman Damian Green said: "It will be no surprise to many of those planning to travel across Britain this weekend that they will be disrupted by difficult journeys, reduced rail services and line closures.

"Why does travelling on a Bank Holiday weekend always have to be so difficult when we all know that our roads and railways will be particularly busy?

"Families will rightly feel frustrated and let down."