Rail commuters are facing hikes of up to £270 in the cost of their annual season ticket next year.

Fares in England, Scotland and Wales will rise by up an average of 4.2 per cent in January.

Among the routes hit hardest by the hike will be the Bournemouth to London route, which is set to go up by £240, to £5,988.

Travel watchdog, Passenger Focus, says commuters travelling from Canterbury to London will face the biggest increase, of £272.

Some tickets will rise by as little as 2.3 per cent, while one ticket, from Shenfield, in Essex, to London will be £16 cheaper.