South Western Railway is to give away free drinks in a drive to get people back on the train.

A four week promotion is designed to encourage workers to use it services to get back into the office and the pub - against the background of claims some people have 'forgotten how to socialise'.

The grim reputation that SWR has developed across South West London for cuts in services and short trains, resulting in crowding, suggests many travellers might feel like a drink.

However, the SWR is pushing the idea of offering free drinks as a positive way for people who work together to start socialising together again.

It is giving travellers the opportunity to win a £25 pub card voucher under a promotion it calls 'Thank God it's Thursday'.

SWR said a survey of 2,000 office workers found that over a third (37%) have forgotten how to socialise, and 55% miss the banter of the office.

The survey found seeing and socialising with co-workers is the number one positive reason to be back in the office (63%). At the same time, 52% said they were just happy to be out of the house.

The survey found that 55% miss having banter with their co-workers, and a third (30%) miss gossiping with co-workers and the buzz of the office.

Etiquette consultant, William Hanson, said: "Our much-missed after-work soirées are not only the highlight of the working week, but key for developing relationships with colleagues, and will help to restore the confidence lost over years of working in isolation.

"When you do start to get back together, however, please remember to not chew the boss's ear too much, and leave some of the snacks for others."

• The promotion will run across a 4-week period from April 7-28 and will be available on a first-come-first-served basis each week. To claim a free round, participants must follow and tweet @SWR_TGIT with '#TGIT' every Thursday between 2-5pm to be in with a change of winning the £25 pub card voucher.