A rail firm is being criticised for putting up fares despite recording bumper profits.

The Rail Maritime and Transport (RMT) union has accused train operators of a legalised scam because of the scale of profits made at the expense of passengers and jobs.

The union released a new study showing firms, including GoAhead which owns a majority share in Southern Railway, are paying dividend increases of at least 10% and in some cases as much as 33%.

It has caused outrage among passengers, some of whom face fare increases of almost 9%.

From Friday, commuters wishing to buy a season ticket from Brighton to London terminals such as London Bridge or Charing Cross will have to pay £3,572 rather than the current £3,280.

Other ticket prices will increase by an average of 6%.

A spokesman for Southern said: "The increases will go towards further station improvement programmes and investment in the further safety and security of our passengers."