A mystery train passenger who told commuter Maia Rees she was beautiful has changed her outlook on life.

Now she wants to trace the man who got off the train at Westbury.

Miss Rees, 44, was travelling home to Bruton on the 5.07pm train from Bristol on October 19, after spending the day shopping with her daughter Rhian, 16, and her friend.

The man, who she describes as 5ft 8ins, with grey hair and thinks was in his 40s, got on the train at Bath with his teenage son and sat opposite. He kept looking at Ms Rees and before leaving turned and said: “By the way, you are beautiful”.

As the train pulled away he waved at her and Ms Rees has been trying to track him down.

Ms Rees, who works as front of house at the Archangel restaurant, in Frome, said: “It was a difficult day for me, but that comment completely turned my day around and I want to thank him for that.

“He was very handsome and I’m pretty sure he had just come from the rugby. My daughter’s friend told me he had been glancing at me, and while I didn’t want to say anything I was glancing back.

“When he said I was beautiful I just sat there with a flattered look on my face. We were all gobsmacked because it’s not something you expect to happen in this day and age.”

Her story has provoked varied responses on social media sites. She said: “It has stirred a reaction on Twitter. I’d just love to tell him in person how much his words changed my day and year.”