The future of the quiet coach is in doubt as a major rail company is scrapping them in first class.

Passengers have reacted angrily at the decision by Virgin Trains East Coast to stop silent carriages in its premier coaches.

It follows moves by other rail firms to remove them completely due to the difficulties in policing them following rows between customers.

Virgin already phased out quiet coaches in first class on its west coast line two years ago.

The operator will introduce the policy from May 20 but it comes ahead of the introduction of its new high speed Azuma trains which will not offer quiet coaches in first class.