Rail chiefs were today accused of discriminating against commuters in Basildon and Thurrock with some of the highest fare rises in the country.

A watchdog claimed nowhere else had to suffer "fare increases of this magnitude" - in some cases as much as eight per cent from key stations.

And the attack on c2c intensified as three MPs pledged to tackle the company over increases in the two districts which were substantially higher than those east of Pitsea.

Travellers hardest hit are those using stations at Basildon, Laindon, Stanford-le-Hope, East Tilbury and several others in Thurrock - with hikes ranging from five to almost nine per cent.

However, other areas of south Essex have had much lower increases imposed - some as low as two per cent on the same line.

Thurrock MP Andrew Mackinlay has written to Transport Minister Alistair Darling about the increase.

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