Commuters should have a bit more breathing space from next week as extra District Line services will be added to relieve rush-hour pressure.

An extra five trains will run during the morning peak times from Wimbledon Station into central London - a 12 per cent boost to passenger capacity.

The new timetable will be welcomed by thousands of Londoners who board the heavily congested service at Wimbledon Park, Southfields and East Putney Stations.

These trains carry an average of just 26 passengers but restrict service capacity on other parts on the District Line.

Transport for London (TfL) says the changes will also reduce bottlenecks in the Earl’s Court area - speeding up journeys for the 150,000 customers who are affected by delays at the station.

Ravi Govindia, Wandsworth Council leader, said: "This is terrific news for people living in Putney, Southfields and Wimbledon who have had to put up with increasingly overcrowded trains in recent years.

"They can now look forward to a more frequent service and more room to breath on their way into work."