Rail bosses are investigating after a 13-year-old boy who could not find his ticket was thrown off a train.

Connor Prior, of Sherbourne Road, Hove, had been staying with his aunt in London and was making his way home from East Croydon on Friday, July 28.

It was the first time he had travelled on his own and his mother checked the train would be going straight through to Hove, where he would be met.

But soon after Connor boarded the train, an inspector asked him for his ticket. He says when he couldn't find it, he was told to get off at Gatwick.

Connor, who goes to Blatchington Mill School in Hove, said: "This man asked me for my ticket but I couldn't find it anywhere. I apologised and was still looking for it when he said, 'Get off at the next stop'.

"I told him my auntie was waiting for me at the other end but he just told me to get off. I was a bit upset as you hear all the news about kids getting taken."

Fortunately, Connor's mother's boyfriend works at Gatwick Airport and was able to rush to meet him on the platform a few minutes later.

Connor's mother, Tania Pennifold, said: "He's got no idea about the danger he was in. I want a full investigation as I couldn't believe it. I was absolutely shocked.

"They found his ticket later. If the man had given him a chance, he would have found it.

"He wasn't being rude and there is no reason for him being thrown off the train."

Ms Pennifold has written to train operator Connex to ask for a full explanation. She wrote: "I am disgusted by your employee's behaviour, which in addition to being negligent and reckless is also irresponsible.

"How easy would it have been for my son to get on the wrong train or, worse, be offered 'assistance' by one of the thousands of transients using that airport every hour.

"My mind is still full of the things that so easily could have happened as a direct result of your employee's actions.

"Had my son not been made to feel he was guilty of something and your employee shown any consideration or patience, my son would have found his ticket, which was in his rucksack."

A spokesman for Connex said the company had written to Ms Pennifold apologising for the way her son was treated.

He said it was not normal policy to tell young people without tickets to get off trains unless they could be placed in the care of a parent or guardian.

He added: "We are investigating the matter further with the staff now and we will make a full reply as soon as the investigation is completed."