Disabled student Julian Henley is furious he had to miss lectures because rail staff did not have the key for a wheelchair ramp to let him off a train.

Each week Mr Henley, 29, who suffers from cerebral palsy, takes a train from his home in Burgess Hill to Brighton, where he catches a second train to Falmer for a counselling course at Sussex University.

Before the start of his course, he telephoned South Central trains to let it know he would need to take trains each week so the necessary equipment would be available.

However, twice now Mr Henley has been unable to get off at Falmer because staff could not find keys for the disabled ramp which allows people in wheelchairs to get on and off.

On one occasion, he had to travel on to Lewes and catch another train back to Falmer again.

But when he arrived at the station for the second time he found he was on the wrong platform for the university and as he could not get across the footbridge to the other side, he had to return to Brighton.

Once back in Brighton, Mr Henley found staff could not unlock the ramp there either.

It wasn't until he refused to leave the train and stopped it from leaving that staff managed to find the key.

On another occasion, on his way home on the 23.02 Brighton to Burgess Hill train, the guard would not let him off at his station because the ramp was unavailable.

Mr Henley was forced to travel on to Haywards Heath, where rail staff tried to find him a taxi.

When no taxi could be found to accommodate disabled passengers, he was forced to wait for another train back to Burgess Hill.

Mr Henley said: "The journeys have been farcical."

He is also annoyed that despite writing to South Central twice he has received no reply.

He is asking for £50 compensation for missing two of his ten lectures, as it cost him £160 to enrol.

He said: "On one occasion the conductor was very rude. He complained that I should have telephoned in advance to let him know I was travelling and made me feel guilty for wanting to use the service."

A spokesman for South Central Ltd said: "We apologise for the occasions when we haven't been able to meet Mr Henley's needs and for any rudeness he has encountered.

"It may be that Mr Henley missed the original trains he was meant to catch and therefore staff were not prepared.

"However, all staff should have keys to the disabled ramps that are kept at all stations and we are looking into why they didn't have them.

"We will also be looking into the matter of compensation."