Northern Rail has announced it will discontinue off-peak train fares on some services across West and South Yorkshire and Greater Manchester.

From Monday September 8th, off-peak tickets will no longer be available between 16.01 and 18.29 in these regions. The change will also apply to services between Hexham and Newcastle from 16.01 to 17.59.

According to Northern Rail, the majority of customers who travel at evening peak times already buy season tickets or anytime fares and won't be affected by this change.

However, customers who do currently use the tickets will have to travel earlier or later, or purchase an anytime ticket.

Northern Rail's commercial director, Richard Allan, said: "We have consulted extensively with local stakeholders and with Passenger Focus on the detail of this change, which is part of our new franchise agreement that was announced in March."

Several options were considered to help reduce subsidy as part of the new agreement and this is the only one that has been selected to reduce the cost to taxpayers.