NATIONAL Express is preparing for its busiest weekend of the year as thousands are booked to travel this August bank holiday.

To meet the heightened demand, which sees Friday expected to be the busiest day for travel, the coach operator will add more than 8,000 extra seats across its network.

A third of all National Express services are to airports, dropping customers off directly at the terminal.

John Boughton, commercial director at National Express, said: "As always, we’re here to help people get away this bank holiday, whether they’re exploring Britain or getting to the airport to go further afield.

"It’s great to see tens of thousands of savvy travellers choosing coach once again this weekend, proving that we remain the smart, affordable and reliable option.

"And with every coach taking up to fifty cars off the road, it’s good news all round."

Travelers on National Express can expect leather reclining seats, free Wi-Fi, USB power sockets, and a luggage allowance of up to 20kg.

National Express's top destinations this bank holiday include London and London airports, Brighton, Bristol, Bournemouth, Cardiff, Leeds, Manchester including Manchester Airport, Plymouth, and Southampton.

More information is available at www.nationalexpress.com.