Sussex rail passengers have received a boost with the announcement of more fast trains and Sunday services.

Train operator Connex says its summer timetable, which starts on May 20, will benefit travellers on the London to Brighton line. Extra trains will also stop at Worthing, Uckfield, Eastbourne and Seaford.

A fleet of new fast trains will leave London Victoria for Brighton Mondays to Saturdays at 20.38, 21.08, 21.38, 22.08, 22.38 and 23.08.

Another new service will leave Victoria for Brighton at 19.38 on Saturday.

Fast services will also leave Brighton for Victoria at 19.20, 20.20, 21.20 and 21.50 throughout the week.

Connex also said Victoria to Hastings trains would now call at Plumpton between 9am and 7pm.

Five extra trains will leave Oxted for Uckfield on Sundays at 09.23, 12.23, 14.23, 17.23 and 19.23.

An extra train will leave Eastbourne for Gatwick Airport via Brighton on Sundays at 05.37, calling at Polegate, Lewes and Brighton.

There will also be an additional Coastway service leaving Brighton for Seaford at 06.20. Extra trains will leave Brighton for Victoria on Sundays at 08.52 and 09.52.

An extra train will also leave Victoria for Worthing at 23.17 Monday to Friday, arriving at 00.39.

Shelley Atlas, of passengers' group Brighton Line Commuters, said: "This is welcome news from the commuters' point of view and also for day-trippers and other non-commuters.

"If people want to stay up in London to catch a show and that sort of thing then they will find themselves at an advantage."