c2c has been named the UK’s top train operator for 2017 in the latest punctuality statistics.

Published by Network Rail, the statistics show the Trenitalia-owned company were way above the national average.

2017 has been a cracker of a year for punctuality for the firm, with 95.8 per cent of c2c’s trains arriving on time – more than any other train operator in the country.

In the past four weeks alone, 97.6 per cent of c2c’s services were on time, compared with the national average of 84.3 per cent.

Julian Drury, managing director of the train operator, was pleased with the outcome of the report.

He said: “We’re delighted to be celebrating a Christmas Number One here at c2c.

“Next year we’ll carry on doing our best to provide our customers with a reliable service they can depend on to get to work, boosting local communities and helping to support a flourishing economy in Essex and east London.”

The impressive statistics come on the back of the train firm announcing it will benefit from thousands of extra seats within the next four years thanks to a £100m deal for new trains.

It also comes as Greater Anglia are cutting Christmas services for engineering works.

For full punctuality statistics, which are published by Network Rail, visit networkrail.co.uk/who-we-are/how-we-work/performance/public-performance-measure/.