A TRAIN users' watchdog group has named Chiltern Railways as the train company with the most passenger-friendly fares - but is campaigning for service improvement.

The Stourbridge Line Users Group, which represents commuters on the line between Worcester and Birmingham via Kidderminster, said Chiltern's freezing of fare prices on tickets to London put it at the top of the league and its discounted tickets offered excellent value for money.

The group, however, is pressing for the company to run trains between Kidderminster and London throughout the day, instead of just early morning and late in the evening.

It also wants a proportion of Stourbridge line trains to serve Birmingham New Street once more, so that passengers can change straight on to trains to destinations nationwide.

Group chairman, Nigel Tolley, said: "Good connections are essential. The interchange with Chiltern trains at Snow Hill and Moor Street is good but, if you want to go anywhere else in the country, then you've got to cross to a different station.

"That's putting people off travelling by train, not encouraging them."

Nevertheless, group liaison officer, Don Barton, said there were good deals to be had with Chiltern.

For example, people over 55 paid just £10 for a return trip to London if they were travelling after 10am - even less with a railcard.

"Anyone can benefit from the Just £15 return ticket for journeys leaving Birmingham after 11am."

While the users' group acknowledged the journey was longer than by trains from Birmingham New Street, the low prices and convenience of the Chiltern service gave big benefits.