Richard Branson's Virgin Rail look set to announce a rise in ticket prices of up to 26 per cent.

Virgin, which runs services through Oxford and Banbury stations, is to raise fares for thousands of passengers travelling on off-peak, open and first-class journeys in the New Year.

The massive rise comes despite record complaints about service, punctuality and over-crowding.

The increases are targeted at casual travellers who do not book in advance and use trains outside the peak hours, such as shoppers and families.

Price rises for most peak-time travellers will remain below inflation.

Hugh Jones, of the Cherwell Rail Users Group, said: "My response to this is almost unprintable. A rise so much in excess of inflation is not on."

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