Passengers travelling between London and the West Midlands are to benefit from a government investment boost.

Some £62 million is being invested in the electric trains that run on the London Midland network,  which connects London, the midlands and the north-west.

The fleet was due to enter service from December, but some of the trains will now be introduced from October 6th, to ensure passengers can benefit from extra seats and better journeys as soon as possible.

Patrick Verwer, managing director of London Midland, said: "This investment will also allow us to deliver more passenger services on the Cross City line between Birmingham and Redditch from December - our busiest commuter route in the West Midlands."

The extra carriages are to be provided on selected morning and evening peak services between London Euston, Northampton, Bletchley and Tring.

Built by Siemens, the next generation trains are among the most reliable in the UK, featuring plug sockets in standard class, along with more on-board litter bins and two plus two seating.