A rail union has attacked train companies after 'disgusting' pictures emerged showing tomatoes growing in human excrement on a commuter line in Essex.

The images were captured by a rail worker at Rochford on the Liverpool Street to Southend line.

The RMT has called on the government to ban train companies from using old carriages which release toilet sewage on to the track.

Credit: ITV News

The union claims the practice, which dates from the early days of rail travel, creates a serious hazard for track maintenance workers.

RMT General Secretary claimed the government had refused to take action: