Commuters using trains across London and the south-east could save a much as a third off each journey from early next year.

Train companies are to relaunch the Annual Gold Card discount scheme, saying it will cover more lines and stations and benefit more commuters.

This could see those travelling from Bexley to London Canon Street saving around £2.25 and those travelling from Gravesend to London St Pancras more than £5.

Gold Card season tickets are issued to people holding Annual Season Tickets in the Network Rail Area.

Companies announced the scheme has been simplified and brought into line with other rail discounts to include a third off standard and first class tickets for Gold Card holders and up to three adults, 60 per cent off child fares for up to four children travelling with the Gold Card holder and discounted journeys starting earlier.

From January, all qualifying annual season ticket holders will be entitled to a national Railcard of their choice for £10 to get a third off most rail journeys across Britain for a year.

Association of Train Operating Companies (ATOC) commercial director David Mapp said: "Relaunching and expanding the Gold Card means even more of our most frequent customers will get additional benefits from their annual season ticket.

"Our railway has been transformed in the last 15 years into Europe's best and fastest growing network.

"That is because rail users are at the heart of what we do and by listening to what customers tell us, operators are always looking to improve and simplify fares and to encourage more people to travel by train for less."

David Sidebottom, Passenger Focus director, added: "The Gold Card is a popular perk for commuters in the south east of England. It encourages them to leave their cars at home and travel by train at the weekends and during holidays with their partners and children.

"The increase in the number of stations you can travel to and from at a discounted rate is welcome. However, the scrapping of the £2 child flat fare will be disappointing to the thousands of families who use this discount. It is simply not fair that the cost of travelling as a family of four could easily increase by more than a fifth on some journeys."

More information about the Annual Gold Card Scheme is available at any Network Rail Station or online at: nationalrail.co.uk