First class rail for mums-to-be

Pregnant women can travel on trains in style as two rail companies are allowing expectant mums to upgrade to first class for free.

Silverlink County Services and West Anglia Great Northern are offering the mums-to-be first class seats during rush hour.

When standard carriages are filling up but there are still spaces in the first class carriages, pregnant women will be allowed to upgrade.

The offer will be open on services between Euston and Northampton via Milton Keynes as well as the Kings Cross to Cambridge and Peterborough route.

Hot and uncomfortable

Cambridge to Liverpool Street is also included in the scheme.

Graham Bashford from Silverlink said the rush hour initiative would help to ensure pregnant women a seat.

"There are a lot of working women who carry on travelling for a number of months during their pregnancy.

"When the weather is hot we know travelling on a train can be uncomfortable.

"So during peak periods and if there is some spare seats in first class, then we let pregnant mothers have these seats."

To qualify expectant mums will have to supply the train companies with a doctor's note in return for a permission to travel first class.