Central Trains says it caught more than 80 people for fare evasion in the first month of a crackdown, netting the company almost �14,000 in fines.

People who have been caught without a ticket will see their names published on posters at stations.

Central Trains says the posters will also say where the fare dodgers are from and the fines they were charged.

'Posters a deterrent'

A company spokeswoman said they were the first rail operator in the country to name and shame people convicted of fare evasion.

"In just four weeks, we have prosecuted 88 people for not having a train ticket and in a few months there will be many more names joining them", business manager Richard Brooks said.

"Our fare paying passengers told us they don't think it is fair that some people don't pay for a ticket, so we are doing all we can to try and prevent this from happening.

"The posters will hopefully prove a deterrent once fare evaders see their names up there in black and white, for all our honest passengers to see."

The government plans to raise the penalty fare from �10 to �20 from 3 May.