Rail services in Wales performed poorly and had unworkable timetables in the last 12 months, according to a passenger watchdog.

In its annual report, the Rail Passenger Committee for Wales said delays, breakdowns and staff shortages had been caused by ageing infrastructure and failing management.

Complaints by travellers rose by 31% on the previous year

Passengers are frustrated by the timetables

The research singled out train company First Great Western, - which runs routes between south Wales and London Paddington - for criticism.

It highlighted the company's inability to keep to its timetable.

And, although reliability has been improving, the problem has only been tackled by cutting out some services, it said.

According to the watchdog, the fault lies partly with Railtrack but First Great Western is also criticised for badly managing the introduction of new faster rolling stock.

The committee's findings included:-

• North Wales - Delays caused by "lack of ambition" and creation of the shadow Wales and Borders franchise. But praise for the north Wales coast main line's Class 175 train fleet.

• Mid Wales - Services deteriorating and timetables unworkable, with operational constraints not giving trains enough time to made journeys. Some services were cancelled as a result.

• Swansea - "Chronic" traffic congestion is "choking" the city and holding back its ambitions to become Wales' second city. A six-point railways plan is put forward to help Swansea become a major European destination.

The committee said it had repeatedly called for levels of investment to bring the Welsh rail infrastructure up to scratch.

Meanwhile, drivers at First North Western are returning to work after their third 48-hour strike in recent weeks on Tuesday and Wednesday.

This week, several of the strikers travelled to the Trades Union Congress (TUC) in Blackpool to highlight their concerns.

The Aslef union has claimed that unfair conditions were attached to a 19% pay offer.