More than 7 million train passengers experienced serious delays this year, analysis shows, as commuters prepare for 3.4 per cent rail fare rise next week.

Which? analysis of Office for Rail and Road data found passengers lost a total of 3.6 million hours due to significantly delayed trains in 2016/17.

Delays classed as "serious"mean trains showed up at least half an hour late, at which point passengers are entitled to half their fare as compensation, escalating with longer delays.

Delays of at least half an hour affected 7.2 million passenger journeys in Britain, consumer group Which? said. It found Virgin Trains East Coast was the train company with the highest proportion of significant delays, with 3.7 per cent of its services running between 30 minutes and two hours late.

This was followed by Virgin Trains West Coast (2 per cent) and Grand Central (1.1 per cent).