'People are aware of the situation'

Trains from First Great Western, Thames Trains, Virgin Cross Country, as well as the Heathrow Express, are all affected.

The station will be closed from 2300 Thursday until 0420 Tuesday 22 April, for resignalling work.

Services will start and stop at Ealing Broadway, and a tube service will run between the west London station and Paddington.

'Extra services'

John Curley, the Network Rail Great Western director, apologised for the disruption.

"This work is part of our commitment to provide a safe and reliable service," he added.

Bus company National Express says it is offering 80 extra runs to Heathrow to help cope with the loss of the airport express.

A spokesperson for train operator First Great Western told BBC News Online: "We are running extra services on Thursday through Bristol to cope with the extra numbers then.

"Everyone who made bookings for the weekend has been made aware of the situation," he added.