THERE is no need to travel to London to enjoy the benefits of rail travel -- Virgin or otherwise -- as our East Lancashire line can provide all the excitement we need.

Travelling to Blackpool on St Valentine's Day, we arrived at Accrington booking office at least 20 minutes before the train was due, only to find that two potential travellers were trying to book tickets several weeks in advance of their journeys.

After a lengthy wait and with no signs of their transactions being completed, I decided to book my tickets on the train. Despite us having OAP rail cards, I was charged £6.35 per ticket, which, after a check, the guard informed me was the correct fare. Checking later with Fare Inquiries, I was told the correct fare was £5.50.

On arrival at Preston on the return journey a few passengers left the train allowing the many people on the well-filled platform to board. After several minutes an announcement was made that, owing to staff shortages the train would not be travelling any further and that all passengers should leave and wait for the next train (to Leeds).

I have come to the conclusion that the railways are run by people of 'Peter Pan' mentality who have never grown up and treat the railways as a giant Hornby-Meccano set and that passengers are an unnecessary inconvenience.

A GARMSTON (Mr), York Place, York Street, Accrington.