Cyclists are calling on the Government to insist new trains ordered for Sussex routes should be able to carry bikes.

No space for them has been designed into the new trains ordered to replace slam-door stock by train company Govia for its South Central franchise.

However, it may be possible for cyclists to use wheelchair spaces if no disabled people are travelling.

Bricycles, the Brighton Hove and District Cyclists' Group, and the Cyclists' Touring Club have been campaigning for years to get spaces reserved for bikes in the new stock.

They have been backed by Brighton Labour MPs Des Turner (Kemptown) and David Lepper (Pavilion).

Bricycles' Becky Reynolds said: "If the trains are introduced without an equivalent to the guard's van, the consequences for cycling in Brighton and Sussex will be very serious."

Govia inherited the order for the trains from its predecessor Connex.

Yesterday it announced a separate order for almost 200 new trains and is still negotiating whether they will carry bikes.