PASSENGERS are claiming more money back from train delays as disruption increases.

Department for Transport (DfT) data shows that train companies paid out £79m in total during the 2018/19 financial year, down 2.1 percent on the previous 12 months.

However, Northern paid out £1.6m compared with £0.6m in the same period.

One fifth of Northern trains arrived late between September 15 and October 12 and only half arrived at their destination at the right time, with nearly five percent of services cancelled completely.

Nationally, over the same period, the rail industry's official measure of punctuality hit a 14-year low.

The compensation figures have prompted rail watchdog Transport Focus to call for more automated systems to pay back customers who are inconvenienced by delays.

In response, a DfT spokesman said: "Our absolute priority is ensuring trains run on time and passengers have the reliable services they deserve.

"However, it is absolutely right that, when things go wrong, passengers are compensated fairly and quickly."