A furious c2c commuter today blasted the rail company after enduring "two days of horror" on her journey to work.

Joanna Bull, 26, claims she not only had to endure the usual delays and overcrowding, but she also had a toilet door slide open on her as she used the facilities. She then got locked in the toilet and later injured her neck after slipping in vomit on the morning train.

Jo, a legal secretary from Wayletts, Leigh, said: "You wouldn't keep cattle going to slaughter in those conditions.

"On Monday the train was late getting to Leigh and there were no seats on the carriage I eventually boarded anyway, so I faced the prospect of a 45-minute journey standing.

"By the time we arrived at Barking the train was packed, but even more people got on.

"The conditions were atrocious and I could barely even remove my coat when I became too hot."

Jo said she started to feel dizzy and sick and rushed to the toilet, which is controlled by an electronic lock.

She said: "Whilst I was sitting on the toilet the door suddenly opened about six inches and everyone outside could see me.

"I was so humiliated. I got dressed as quickly as possible but was forced to stay in the toilet as the door would not open - at least I had a seat I suppose!"

There was more trauma for Jo on Tuesday when she said she boarded her morning train and slipped in a pile of vomit, jerking her neck.

She said: "Again I was disgusted because it had quite obviously been there since the night before."

Jo is seeking legal advice over the neck injury she suffered.

She said: "I have put up with the most despicable service from c2c this year for which I pay £2,664 and I have recently been offered the insulting compensation of £27 for my continued inconvenience, but this has been the final straw."

A c2c spokesman said: "We will certainly look at the letter that Miss Bull has sent us because one or two other people have also had difficulty operating the locking mechanism on the new trains.

"This was obviously upsetting and distressing and our customer services department will treat her letter sympathetically."

Published Thursday November 29, 2001