Some Sussex-London train services were running to an emergency timetable today after heavy rain brought flash floods last night.

Heavy rain plunged thousands of commuters into travel chaos last night as many areas of the country were cut off.

The Thameslink service through London was badly hit by flooding and a signal failure.

As a result, this morning's Thameslink service was operating an emergency timetable.

Passengers ringing National Rail Inquiries this morning were being told that all other services were running, though delays should be expected.

Paul Mott, a forecaster with the independent PA WeatherCentre, said: "The worst of it's over and today will be better, though there will be a few showers around.

"However, we are expecting several outbreaks of rain tonight and tomorrow over southern England. They shouldn't cause the flash flooding that we saw last night but they will be more widespread."

Passengers travelling north from Brighton to London had a near-normal service during the rush hour but afterwards only two trains an hour were scheduled. All trains terminate at Blackfriars.

A spokeswoman for South Central confirmed the flooding was affecting train services but only in London and north of the city.

She said anyone travelling from Brighton or Mid Sussex would still be able to catch their train on time but might have problems reaching their destination in London.