And Finally... The £1,002 rail ticket (and that's in the UK)

The fare of £1,002 is for a turn-up and go, first-class return from Newquay in Cornwall to the Kyle of Lochalsh in the Scottish Highlands.

Unearthed by rail expert Barry Doe, the Cornwall to Scotland return trip offered by CrossCountry trains would cover around 1,700 miles, Mr Doe's research also showed that some standard-class, turn-up-and go return fares have risen 100% since the mid-1990s.

A London-to-Manchester return has gone up from £33 in 1995 to £66.10, while a London-to-Newcastle upon Tyne return has risen 84% to £105.

Liberal Democrat transport spokesman Norman Baker MP said he was shocked by the fares.

He said: "When you can fly half way across Europe for £30, the idea that you can end up paying £1,000 for a train journey in Britain is absolutely scandalous.

"Not only are passengers being encouraged off the trains and into their cars, but some considering this journey may decide they'd rather fly to Australia and back for half the price. This is a very unwelcome landmark and will do nothing to encourage people to travel by train."

Cat Hobbs of the Campaign for Better Transport said: "The Newquay £1,000 fare shows just how pricey and complicated the fare structure is.

"Fares in this country are far too expensive. They are the most expensive in Europe.

"We think the Government should step in and urgently review how they regulate fares."

Under an annual inflation rate price formula, regulated fares (which include season tickets) will actually go down in January as retail price index inflation is in negative territory.

But Ms Hobbs said that the Government should not take any credit for this dip in fares because it was merely a result of the recession.

She added: "Our fear is that the train companies will put up unregulated fares (which include many off-peak tickets) to compensate for the dip in regulated fare income.

"The Government should not let the train companies take all the flak for this. It's up to the Government to change the system."

A spokesman for CrossCountry said: "No one has actually bought this £1,000 fare but it does exist.

"Someone wanting a first-class return would be likely to book a saver return in advance - and pay £561."