NEW restrictions mean some rail passengers travelling between Malvern and London face paying increased fares on their journeys.

Since the New Year, Cheap Day Return tickets on the Hereford to London line are no longer valid on any services leaving London Paddington between 4.18pm and 7.18pm.

Anyone wishing to use a service between these times will have to pay for a Saver fare, increasing the cost of some journeys by up to a third.

The restrictions have come under fire from the Cotswold Line Promotion Group.

Publicity officer Julian Palfrey feels leisure users will suffer the most.

"These draconian restrictions on the return trains will deter many leisure passengers from travelling or encourage them to look for cheaper alternatives," he said.

First Great Western spokes-man Tim Bowcock said discounted travel was not gener- ally available at peak times, and the move brought the service into line with other routes.

He added that the company had recently introduced advance tickets offering discount travel on peak services.

A Cheap Day Return between Great Malvern and Lon- don Paddington costs £32.90, whereas a Saver Return costs £37.