TRAVELLERS in North Somerset preparing to go away for the Easter weekend could end up in a spot of bother.

TRAVELLERS in North Somerset preparing to go away for the Easter weekend could end up in a spot of bother.

Compared to previous years, traffic is expected to be more concentrated between today (Thurs) and Monday due to the fact school holidays do not fall over the Easter weekend.

The M5 motorway between Bristol and the South West is expected to be the worst area for traffic jams as holiday makers head to the coast.

Second on the RAC's list of jam hot spots is the stretch of M4 between London and the M4/M5 interchange.

Other roads expected to be busy are the M25 around London, the M1 between Nottingham and Chesterfield, the M6 through the West Midlands and routes between Lancashire to North Wales and the Lake District.

Drivers are also warned to be extra cautious due to the fact a period of cold, wintry weather is expected to hit the UK from today.

Advice to motorists includes taking spare, warm clothes, food and drink and fully-charged mobile phones on their journey.

On the trains, those using the First Great Western Bristol Temple Meads to Taunton service on Sunday will be diverted due to engineering works and local services will be replaced by buses.

Between Friday and Monday all London Paddington to Bristol and South Wales services will be diverted after Reading and will not call at Didcot Parkway, Swindon or Chippenham. Bus services will travel to these locations.

For more information about First Great Western train services call 0845 7000 125.

Bristol International Airport is also expecting more than 80,000 passengers to pass through its doors between today and Monday, compared to the 76,000 who used the airport last year.