Uncomfortable train seats on a major commuter route are set to receive a significant upgrade, according to transport officials.

The rail operator running services between several major cities will replace its poorly-regarded seating, the Department for Transport has announced.

Across the entire fleet of 115 trains, more than 60,000 standard-class seating cushions will be swapped out, alongside enhanced back support.

The work is scheduled to begin next year as part of a programme expected to take two years to complete.

The operator runs services connecting Cambridge, the capital, and Brighton.

Heidi Alexander, the transport secretary, stated that the changes demonstrate the benefits of public ownership of rail services.

She noted that fewer than 100 days after the operator came under government control, improvements passengers had requested were being delivered.

From next year, the notorious uncomfortable seats would be eliminated, allowing travellers on heavily-used routes to experience more comfortable journeys.

Premium cabin seating cushions will also be refreshed, though the existing back supports will stay as they are.

Folding tray tables will be installed on 70 trains that currently lack them.

The transport secretary had previously likened the current seating to an uncomfortable surface.

The company is part of Greater Thameslink Railway, which returned to public ownership at the end of May.

The operator runs busy commuter services through the centre of the capital, serving stations including St Pancras, Brighton, Cambridge and Sevenoaks.

The secretary said the upgrades form part of wider efforts to enhance the railway network.

She stated that while rail improvements extend beyond simple refurbishment, measures like this represent the beginning of getting the network back on track.

Ticket prices had been frozen for the first time in three decades, and operators in public hands had introduced an additional 76,000 seats across the network.

Once operational, the new national rail body would prioritise delivering a dependable, contemporary service focused on passenger satisfaction.

The GTR chief executive commented that research showed passengers valued comfort, which was why plans had been developed to enhance seating on these services and improve the experience for the millions using the extensive network.

Through research conducted with regular commuters, valuable feedback had been gathered to help create the optimal cushioning solution for these high-capacity trains.