The first £1,000 train fare in the UK has been revealed on Tuesday.

The fare - of £1,002 - is for a turn-up-and-go, first-class return from Newquay in Cornwall to the Kyle of Lochalsh in the Scottish Highlands.

Unearthed in a survey of fares by rail expert Barry Doe, the Cornwall to Scotland return trip would cover around 1,700 miles, with tickets able to be bought from the CrossCountry train company.

Mr Doe's research also showed that some standard-class, turn-up-and go return fares have risen 100% in price since the mid-1990s.

A spokesman for CrossCountry said: "No-one has actually bought this £1,000 fare but it does exist. Someone wanting a first-class return would be likely to book a saver return in advance and pay £561."

Cat Hobbs, public transport campaigner for the Campaign for Better Transport, said: "The Newquay £1,000 fare shows just how pricey and complicated the fare structure is.

"We think fares in this country are far too expensive. They are the most expensive in Europe. We think the Government should step in and review how they regulate fares.

"Our fear is that the train companies will put up unregulated fares to compensate for the dip in regulated fare income. The Government should not let the train companies take all the flak for this. It's up to the Government to change the system."