Britain has so much to be proud of. There’s Isaac Newton’s discovery of gravity, erm, countless Eurovision Song Contest wins and, um, Top Gear.

Now there’s another notable achievement to add to that exhaustive list – the nation has its very first £1,000 rail fare. Well, £1,002 to be precise – a first class return from Newquay in Cornwall to Kyle of Lochalsh in the Scottish Highlands, as unearthed by dogged rail service scrutiniser Barry Doe.

It’s a 1,700 mile round trip and Cross Country, the train operator who provide it, say that they are unaware of anyone stumping up for it, but its there and we should all feel deeply proud that we live in a nation that has made it possible.

Norman Baker, the Liberal Democrats’ transport spokesman, parped: “When you can fly half way across Europe for £30, the idea that you can end up paying £1,000 for a train journey in Britain is absolutely scandalous. Not only are passengers being encouraged off the trains and into their cars, but some considering this journey may decide they’d rather fly to Australia and back.”

Which is a bit of a kick in the teeth for the people in Kyle Of Lochlash who are looking forward to a rare visit from their posh relatives from Newquay, but there you go…