Rail passengers could be entitled to compensation after just a two-minute delay, depending how a trail scheme goes.

A pilot is to begin on Essex-based c2c later this year that could lead to compensation being paid after only a couple of minutes of waiting for a train.

Under the scheme, passengers will get a per-minute payment up to 29 minutes of delay.

If a train is between 30 and 60 minutes late, passengers will receive 50 per cent of the value of their ticket. Beyond an hour and they will get a full refund.

The scheme relies on passengers switching to new "smart" forms of paying for tickets such as over the internet, using travel smartcards, with smartphone apps or on credit cards.

MORE LATEST NEWS STORIES:

Transport secretary Patrick McLoughlin told the Daily Mail: "If people are delayed, they should be repaid. I want to end the frustration endured by millions when they are delayed - and then have to jump through hoops to claim compensation. I've experienced it myself."

Mr McLoughlin told the newspaper the aim is to roll the scheme out across the UK as each rail franchise comes up for renewal.

That could be bad news for commuters in this area - with Southeastern set to run services until at least 2018, there could be a long wait for the scheme.

The current delay repay process only kicks in after delays of at least 30 minutes.