Commuters in south Essex are set for more financial woes as train fares are due to rise by 6.2 per cent in January.

Government policy will see season and peak time tickets shoot up by an extra three per cent above the inflation rate in order to help fund improvements on lines across the country.

The fares which will come into effect in the new year could have an extra five per cent added on top if train service operators feel it is necessary to do so.

Spokesmen for both Greater Anglia and c2c said the new prices for their services have "yet to be decided".

However, passengers have already slammed the future rises, with some describing them as a "joke".

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