Despite months of delays and cancellations, prices are to increase around the country from Monday.

First North Western, which operates Knutsford's rail link, confirmed last week that passengers in the town would be affected by the national initiative.

"Fares are regulated every year at 2.3%," said a spokesman.

"As a general rule there will always be annual fare increases."

Increases will affect services to Chester, Northwich and Altrincham.

A return ticket to Altrincham will go up by 10p to £3.80 with a 20p hike in the cost of a £9.40 return fare to Chester.

Trains to Manchester may not be affected, a guard at Knutsford railway station told the Knutsford Guardian.

But passengers in the town were less than happy with the new charges - however slight.

"The service we are currently getting does not justify a price increase," said one regular train user, who asked not to be named.

"They should be dropping the fares not increasing them." And Clr Wilson Hamman, who regularly travels by train, said recent delays had forced him to consider learning to drive - at the age of 66.

"Trains are not reliable anywhere from Lands End to John O'Groats," he said.

"To hike fares above inflation with this quality of service, speaking as an ex-railwayman myself, is just appalling."

But a member of the Mid Cheshire Rail Users Association said the changes were inevitable and acceptable.

"The increases are badly timed, but would have been decided before the Hatfield crash and all the floods," he said.

"It is just unfortunate that it has been announced at this time."