Travellers have left more than 62,000 different items on trains so far this year, and that is record given the number of passengers is still down on 2019’s busiest ever year.

Some 100 lost cuddly toys have also been handed into lost property offices, prompting the railway firm to try to reunite children their lost friends.

The NS as declared this week to be “week of the lost toy” and is now circulating pictures of rabbits, ducks and even, appropriately, Paddington Bear, in the hope that someone who recognises them will come forward.

“The quicker people get in touch about something they have lost, the more likely we can help track it down,” NS lost property specialist Tess said. “We can even phone the conductor on the train to see if they have found it and have it in their pocket.”

Top of the list of lost objects are keys, bags and suitcases, coats, headphones and wallets and purses. Among the more unusual items handed in this year is a shuffle board, a luxury coffee machine and a large empty cage for transporting a dog.