The company, along with sister service First Great Western Link, had been charging �3 for the service with a �1 booking fee.

FGW came to the decision after research on bike use and consultation with bike groups in the region.

Cyclists are being advised to book spaces before travelling. The changes take affect from 12 December.

The move comes after both South West Trains and Wessex Trains banned bikes from peak time services.

The two companies claimed bikes were taking up too much space on their trains.

Angela Harris from Great Western said: "We hope it will encourage more people to choose the train...or use this environmentally friendly way of getting to work."