Trains in Britain are filling faster than anywhere else in Europe and have reached a record level of overcrowding, according to new statistics.

The number of passenger journeys has risen by 70% in a decade, including 4.2% in the past year alone.

There were 1.65billion national rail journeys in 2014/2015, which constituted a 69.5% increase since 2002/2003.

Claire Perry, Rail minister, insisted investment would meet the rising demand.

"We are also working with train operators to bring in more seats, more services and improved journeys across all regions," she said.

1.3billion journeys were recorded on the London Underground, making records for both networks.

Germany takes 2.6billion rail trips a year; making the country the highest in Europe, but Britain has the fastest growth rate in the EU.