Angry rail passengers have complained about a “third world service” after being made to travel in carriages with faulty air conditioning during the recent spell of hot weather.

Greater Anglia tweeted a message last night informing customers of “high numbers” of air conditioning faults on many of its services, including those from Colchester, Ipswich, Clacton and Harwich.

The operator explained that faults could only be fixed when trains were returned to the depot, not during service.

Customers have been advised to tweet Greater Anglia with details of faulty air conditioning units, stating which carriageit is affected.

However the request was met with a backlash from angry passengers.

Many people complained the air conditioning was faulty more often than not, with some passengers preferring to take older trains so that they can at least open windows. Others complained about the possible health issues.

“As I am a nurse, and after working 12 hour shifts I have to feel uncomfortable on my journey home as the carriages are far too hot,” one person tweeted. “It’s actually a health and safety issue and I’m surprised commuters haven’t been fainting. No aircon is happening every week.”

Another added: “I had the most disgusting journey home tonight. Tiny carpet seats so your knees are pressed against the person opposite and squashed against the person next to you. Suit cases everywhere. It was 30 in the train and I felt really unwell. Old rolling stock needs to be replaced.

One passenger complained of receiving a “third world service for first world prices”.

“So on top of short train formations, windows that don’t open we now have an aircon problem,” a customer said.

“What sort of service are you running?”