London Midland has announced it is cutting cross city rail services on Christmas Eve.

Some trains will be removed from service from 2pm on December 24 and London Midland will run only a half-hourly service on the Cross City Line.

Coun Kath Hartley, the vice-chairwoman of transport authority Centro, said she was ‘dismayed and appalled’ to learn about the service cuts.

Coun Hartley (Lab, Ladywood) said: “We have written to London Midland expressing our disappointment in the strongest way possible.

“Christmas Eve is a normal working day for many, the shops are open until 5pm. It is a very busy time. This is a real Scrooge mentality by London Midland.”

She highlighted the fact that Chiltern Railways were running with extra carriages and National Express West Midlands buses were running normally. Coun Hartley added that retail organisations and shopkeepers had "every reason" to be angry with the rail operator.

Centro is putting the case for greater powers over public transport in the region.

A spokesman for London Midland said the new Christmas timetable was "to reflect the reduction in demand for services and major engineering works, including the redevelopment of New Street”.