Greater Anglia will put itself forward to pilot a flexible ticket scheme on its trains.

In September, the Government announced it wanted to test the scheme on a busy commuter route into London.

Flexible ticketing would allow part-time workers, who do not commute every day, to benefit from season ticket rates.

In a letter to Witham MP Priti Patel, Greater Anglia chief executive Ruud Haket confirmed the company would bid to take part in the scheme.

He said: “This is an interesting opportunity that would benefit many of our customers, so we’ll certainly look to pursue this by any means we have available to us.”

Ms Patel said: "I welcome Greater Anglia's interest in securing the pilot scheme to trial more flexible season tickets.

“Many commuters in Essex and the East of England work part time in London as they balance their careers and families and they should be able to benefit from more flexible season tickets.

“I will continue to work with Greater Anglia and commuter groups to campaign for the Department for Transport to pilot these season tickets on our services."