For women fleeing domestic abuse, raising the cash needed to escape can be difficult.

Victims are usually advised to seek refuge services far away from their perpetrator but many, especially those experiencing economic abuse, have little or no access to money for travel.

But a new scheme could help, by offering free train tickets to female victims of abuse.

The 'rail to refuge' initiative is run by Women's Aid, supported by Southeastern and Great Western Railway, and allows those seeking refuge services to access rail tickets through the charity.

Tickets can be used in Kent, London and south Wales, as long as the journeys star and end at a Southeastern or Great Western station.

However, applications need to be made through a Women's Aid member - which can be anyone from a local abuse charity to a support worker - by emailing membership@womensaid.org.uk.

The scheme was first introduced by Southeastern last year and has already helped several women access safe accommodation.

Retails systems and contracts manager Darren O’Brien came up with the idea after watching a Dispatches documentary about Reigate and Banstead Women’s Aid.

He said: "I was extremely moved by the documentary and asked whether we at Southeastern could do anything to help.

"When we introduced the scheme, we knew that it was only a small thing for us but would make an enormous difference to women escaping domestic abuse.

"It’s fantastic that other train operators are following in our footsteps."

Acting co-chief executive of the charity, Adina Claire, added: "Access to cash is a major barrier for women escaping an abusive partner and free train travel will be one less thing for these women to worry about at a time of acute crisis.

"I’d like to thank Great Western Railway and Southeastern for supporting this initiative, and encourage other rail companies to contact Women’s Aid if they’d like to join the scheme and help us support women fleeing domestic abuse."

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