A MAN being chased by police on to a railway line at London Road station caused delays to thousands of commuters.

The incident began at around 6pm when the man jumped off the platform and ran away from officers through a railway tunnel.

Network Rail switched off the power between Moulsecoomb and Brighton and north up the Brighton main line to Preston Park.

An eye witness said six police vehicles were parked outside London Road station as the incident unfolded.

A Sussex Police spokesman said that a number of police resources had been sent to locate the man.

They included armed officers but the spokesman stressed there was no wider risk to the public.

Lines reopened at around 7.35pm but the search continued for the suspect.