Thousands of Sussex commuters could lose out on compensation for the worst rail delays in living memory because they haven't kept their tickets.

Travellers using the Connex Brighton to London line will be entitled to a refund under the Government's Passenger Charter - if they can produce proof of travel.

But daily ticket holders could lose out because their tickets were swallowed by automatic platform barriers.

Connex, Railtrack and the Shadow Strategic Rail Authority were today holding emergency talks with the Association of Train Operating Companies (ATOC).

An ATOC spokeswoman said: "We are trying to find a way through the situation. We are trying to put together a national fund.

"Individual companies may add to the fund. Hopefully we can reflect the level of disruption across the board."

Anthony Smith of the Rail Passengers' Council demanded operators take a more sympathetic view and allow refunds for "credible" cases, even where tickets were not shown.

Connex South Central is expected to announce season ticket holders will get three weeks' worth of "free" travel to compensate for delays.

But the situation for travellers who have bought daily or weekly tickets is less certain because of the difficulty of proving purchase.

Tonight a Connex spokesman said: "We are still in discussion with the relevant authorities and will announce the outcome as soon as it is known."

It is thought the delays caused by bad weather and track checks after the Hatfield disaster have cost commuters' bosses tens of millions of pounds in lost man-hours.

A landslide at Hassocks meant all London to Brighton services had to be diverted via Lewes until last week.

A broken conductor rail near Redhill caused extensive delays on Sunday afternoon, with the Gatwick Express train stopping at all stations to clear overcrowded platforms.

Timetables are only now beginning to return to normal on the Brighton to Victoria line.

But Shelley Atlas, chairman of the Brighton Line Commuters, said the RPC's proposal to compensate passengers without tickets could lead to large-scale fraud.

She said: "People should hold on to their tickets if they are delayed.

"Season ticket holders pay the most money out. People should have been sensible enough to hold on to their tickets if they wanted a refund."

Talks between Connex, Railtrack and ATOC are expected to continue this afternoon.

Connex lost its South Central franchise. Rival Govia, which runs Thameslink Brighton-Bedford trains, will take over most Sussex trains.