I HAVE recently experienced two extremely unpleasant train journeys and write so that other readers will, hopefully, avoid experiencing the so-called service which Virgin Trains offer.

My first trip to London, in November, involved a total of six hours of delays in overcrowded carriages. On the way down to London there was swearing, smoking and a fight in my carriage. No alternative seats were available and the conductor never once came through the train to see if we were safe.

I recently travelled again, hoping it could never be as bad! We were more than an hour late getting to London and it was the same again on the return journey. Unfortunately, on the return trip we missed the connecting train to Blackpool because, in between booking my ticket -- which had specified times allowed to travel and the date of travel -- Virgin decided to change their times by adding an hour to allow for delays. Despite them having my contact details, I was never informed beforehand and no mention of the revised times was made on the train. On arriving at Preston at 00.46am (one hour late) I found my connection had gone and approached the "customer care office." A very abrupt man told me the train from London had been "retimed" and so was not late in their book. Consequently they wouldn't do anything to help passengers to reach Blackpool.

We had two choices, either pay for our own cab or wait until 2.15am for a night train from the airport. This would mean arriving in Blackpool a total of two and a half hours late. His attitude was most unhelpful and, despite our obvious upset, it was apparently our own fault. As he put it: "What do you expect when you travel at this time?"

Actually, I expected the train to run to the timetable which was in operation when I booked my ticket two weeks previously.

I would strongly advise potential travellers to avoid any pain and forget the train. It really isn't worth it when you are treated like this. I complained on both occasions to Virgin but have yet to receive a reply.

Steve Mason, Lambs Road, Thornton.