BOLTON'S train operator saw the largest increase in complaints per journey last year of any company in Britain.

Northern passengers were more than three times more likely to make a complaint about their trip between April and mid-October as a series of problems caused chaos on the railways.

In addition, the company's rate of response to complaints has also dropped, with only half receiving a response within 20 working days, the second worst in the country.

In response to the report, Northern issued an apology.

A spokesman said: “During late spring and early summer last year our customers faced unprecedented disruption as a result of delayed infrastructure delivery and the resulting timetable problems which led to an increase in complaints and compensation claims. We are very sorry for the impact these factors had on our customers. Throughout the autumn and into the new timetable, which began in December, we have worked to deliver significant improvements. In December we also launched a new scheme – Delay Repay 15 – which ensures any customers whose journey is delayed by 15 minutes or more can claim compensation."

'Very few' Northern trains will run this Saturday after 5pm as the RMT union runs its second rail strike of the year - the 44th in a long industrial dispute.