The most glamorous meeting of the year is due to kick-off this weekend, with 300,000 racegoers set to descend on Berkshire.

But those on their way to the Queen’s favourite racing event are in for a day of delays and cancellations.

RMT workers on South Western services have organised a five-day strike, causing mass delays.

Some of the most popular routes in the country, including those to-and-from Ascot, will all be affected.

The most popular route from London Waterloo to Ascot on the Reading line is just one of the many services under threat.

Revellers on their way to Ascot are advised to check their train times before setting off.

A South Western spokesman accused the RMT of targetting Royal Ascot with its latest bout of strikes.

He said: “Clearly they have decided to target popular events such as Royal Ascot with this cynical action driven by internal RMT politics.

“Clearly they have decided to target popular events such as Royal Ascot”

SWR spokesman

“The RMT has always said it wanted us to keep the guard on every train which is what we have offered as part of a framework agreement.

“We want to move the conversation on to how we operate our new trains and take advantage of new technology to benefit our customers.”

For revellers going from Waterloo to Ascot, there will be four trains per hour, for the three hours before the first race, and the same for three hours after the last race.

Extra car parking spaces have been made available due to the strikes.

RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: “Our members have been left with no choice but to go ahead with strike action tomorrow.”

Racegoers will be hit with misery not matter what day they plan on visiting Ascot, with the strike due to last five days.

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