From Railway Children to fares petition

Jenny Agutter visited 10 Downing Street yesterday to hand in a petition with more than 11,000 signatures calling for cheaper rail fares

Jenny Agutter, who as a child star found fame in The Railway Children, visited 10 Downing Street yesterday to hand in a petition with more than 11,000 signatures calling for cheaper rail fares.

The actress, now 58, played Roberta Waterbury in the 1970 film version of Edith Nesbit's classic tale of three children who lived near a railway line.

She delivered the petitions in her role as a patron of the Campaign for Better Public Transport.

She said: "Taking the train should be a pleasure, not a chore. Passengers in their thousands have spoken out against rising fares and overcrowded trains. I hope the Government listens and takes steps to make trains more affordable and reliable – starting by cancelling the planned fare rises."