TRAIN passengers who suffered extended a month of travel misery due to strike action are being encouraged to claim compensation.

South Western Railway, the franchise that operates the majority of train services across the region, is offering more money to season ticket holders, weekly and daily ticket holders who travelled frequently during strikes in December last year.

Throughout the initial compensation phase, SWR paid out around £2.6million to more than 34,500 customers.

The second phase of the scheme launches this week and franchise bosses are asking customers who held, weekly season tickets and daily tickets, as well as those customers with longer-term season tickets who have not been contacted by SWR during phase one, to apply for compensation.

To apply for compensation, visit southwesternrailway.com/dec-comp

This will allow passengers to check if they are eligible and then raise a claim.

A statement from SWR said: "We are determined to compensate as many eligible customers as we can so, as well as publicity and announcements on stations, we are also launching a campaign on social media and in local papers to highlight the launch of phase two and encourage customers to check their eligibility.

"During the December 2019 strikes, we carried over 80 per cent of our usual passengers, however, given the duration and intensity of the strike, compensation over and above the normal delay repay arrangements is being offered in recognition of the exceptional disruption customers faced.

"Where possible we have asked customers to retain tickets, copies of tickets or other proof of purchase of tickets valid during the month-long strike to assist in the processing of their claim.

"The scheme will be closing on September 13, 2020, and we are committed to compensate as many eligible customers as possible."

As reported, rail passengers faced a weeks of extended journeys due to 27 days of strike action by members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union.

This came after talks had broken down over the long-running dispute about guards on trains.