A frustrated commuter has taken to Twitter to voice concerns as 10 ticket inspectors were spotted at a railway station today.

Jamie Bennett photographed four Southeastern guards, stood by an entrance at West Malling, at 7.45am as he began his daily commute to London.

The rail firm responded to Mr Bennett saying that the staff members were on hand to catch any potential fare dodgers.

The disgruntled passenger feels that 10 staff members for a station with three entrances is a waste of resources.

The trainee chartered accountant said: "It seems like overkill, there's 10 people doing one person's job. Four of them were just stood on a gate chatting, doing nothing.

"There were four on the entrance on the Maidstone-bound platform, generally stopping the occasional school child that uses that way, but mainly they were just having a good old chinwag."

The Kings Hill resident has since engaged in a row with Southeastern online, frustrated with 'stock' responses he was getting.

He added: "With the prices increasing every year and the service staying poor it's just annoying to see what I think is a waste of resources."

A Southeastern spokesperson said: "Our Revenue Protection Officers often undertake random ticket checks at stations across our network. Today some of our revenue team were at West Malling station working with passengers and station staff to deter people from travelling without a ticket and penalise those who are caught doing so.

"During busy periods we ensure there are more officers available to check the tickets of those arriving at and leaving the station, without causing delays or queues while the process takes place."