NINE fare dodgers from south Worcestershire have been "named and shamed" by a train company.

Central Trains has put up posters around Birmingham stations featuring the names of more than 80 people caught without a ticket and who failed to pay a £10 penalty fare.

About one in 16 passengers travel without paying, a figure the train operator aims to halve with its new campaign.

"In just four weeks we have prosecuted 88 people for not having a train ticket and in a few months there will be many more names joining them," said Central Trains' business manager for West Midlands Richard Brooks.

"Our fare-paying passengers told us they don't think it is fair that some people don't pay for a ticket, so we are doing all we can to try and prevent this from happening."

The south Worcestershire residents who feature on the list are: Alan Cooley, aged 27, of Vicarage Court, Worcester; Stephen King, 33, of Bolston Road, Diglis, Worcester; Fiona Kerr, 19, and Sarah Kerr, 22, of Lulsley, near Knightwick; Peter Duncombe, of Wilden Top, Stourport-on-Severn; Thomas O'Brian, of Bearswood, Malvern; George Lockyear, 51, of Lea Street, Kidderminster; Lee Wilde, 22, of York Street, Kidderminster; John Aldridge, 30, of Nunnery Avenue, Droitwich.