Rail passengers in Hitchin are set to benefit from an additional evening peak service from London King's Cross railway station later this spring.

From 17 May, the Great Northern 6.54pm service from King's Cross to Cambridge will also stop at Hitchin railway station, offering extra capacity and a quicker option for commuters heading home.

The new stop is aimed at helping passengers during the busy evening rush hour, with calls for more fast services serving Hitchin.

Alistair Strathern, Hitchin's MP, welcomed the announcement and said it would make a real difference for local rail users by easing pressure on existing services and giving passengers more choice.

The latest change follows earlier news that an extra morning peak service into King's Cross would also be added for Hitchin passengers.

Mr Strathern said he has been meeting regularly with Govia Thameslink Railway to push for more services, more drivers and better reliability. He has also been lobbying Network Rail and the Department for Transport for wider improvements, including step-free access at Arlesey railway station and eastern station access at Hitchin.

He said: "This additional evening peak stop is a really welcome improvement for Hitchin commuters. An extra peak train home to Hitchin from London will give people more choice and make the journey home quicker and less crowded.

"Following the extra AM service announced a few months ago, it is great to see Thameslink listening to my calls for extra capacity.

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"I'll keep making the ask for more drivers, more reliability and more rail infrastructure."