Delays on South Central Trains have more than doubled since Labour came to power, it was claimed today.

A total of 35.5 per cent of services arrived late in the four weeks to November 8, according to the Liberal Democrats.

This compared to 17 per cent of services delayed during the same period in 1997, the year Labour won power.

But the Liberal Democrats, who compiled the research from data published on station noticeboards, said performance is better than in the corresponding four-week period last year, when 48.2 per cent of services arrived more than five minutes late.

The party said delays had increased for 20 of Britain's 28 train operating companies.

Transport spokesman John Thurso said the figures proved the railways were significantly worse than when Labour took office.

He said: "Things can't go on like this. These figures prove what every rail passenger knows - British railways are dogged by delays."

Mr Thurso said the news was an added blow for passengers after the Government announced inflation-busting fare increases earlier this week.

The Strategic Rail Authority is to publish train performance figures for April to October on Thursday.