It is "absolutely essential" that train passengers are properly compensated for delays, transport minister Claire Perry has said.

She added that it was vital that passengers knew about compensation rules and were able to claim easily.

She admitted some passengers were facing "challenges" due to disruption caused by major work at London Bridge station.

Ms Perry was speaking at Greenwich in south London as she helped launch trials of driverless car technology.

Her comments came after The Argus revealed statistics released by consumer group Delay Repay Sniper released figures showing only a fraction of those delayed last month on Brighton to London services run by Southern had been able to claim for delays.

This was because few of the delays were of 30 minutes or more, with the compensation scheme only kicking in for half an hour or longer.

Delay Repay Sniper is suggesting the 30-minute regulation should be changed to accommodate what it says are numerous delays of around 10-15 minutes.

Ms Perry said: "It's absolutely essential that passengers know about compensation regulations and it is vital that it is easy for them to claim.

"Some passengers affected by the London Bridge work are being really challenged at the moment."