Pensioners Edward and Barbara Fisher are being put through anguish for something that is nothing to do with them.

The couple, who live in Portslade, have been told to pay a rail fine for not travelling with a ticket on the West Coastway line.

But they seldom travel by train and it looks as if a youngster who was caught without a ticket has falsely given rail authorities their address.

It's understandable that the recovery agency should have contacted them in the first place. What's unreasonable is continued hassle when they have made it plain there has been a mistake.

The Fishers deserve a handsome letter of apology from the firm, together with compensation for their expenses and trouble.

After that the company can concentrate on catching the real culprit who has got away with it so far.