A train fire sparked chaos last night delaying thousands of passengers travelling across Sussex.

The fire was in a traction motor of a South Central train en route from Tonbridge to Horsham.

Smoke was seen coming from beneath the carriages as the train travelled between Gatwick and Three Bridges, Crawley.

The fire was quickly put out by the crew but the train blocked one of the four lines.

A second line was put out of action as an engine was sent to push the fire-damaged train back to Three Bridges.

Passengers remained on the train while it was shunted in. They were taken to their destinations by bus.

The incident, shortly after 4pm, had a knock-on effect into the rush hour with some trains delayed for more than an hour.

A spokesman for South Central said: "There was just a bit of smoke.

"The passengers stayed on the train and at no time was there any danger."