Train bosses are being urged to put on extra services to football matches.

An MP has said he will be putting pressure on a train company to improve its service for football fans. Hove MP Mike Weatherley said Albion fans have been contacting him over the need for increased train services to meet match day demand.

Brighton and Hove Albion have defended the train firm and said they have received assurances that train services will be able to cope with increased passenger numbers with the proposed expansion of the club’s ground.

A recent Transport Strategy Review into transport at the £100 million stadium showed around 45% of fans used rail transport – three times higher than the original transport plan of 2008 predicted.

The report also noted that any plans to increase the frequency of trains serving Falmer or lengthening trains would incur substantial infrastructure costs because there is limited additional rolling stock available as well as signalling and power restrictions.

Southern Rail also told the review that there was little spare capacity available on existing services to accommodate peak supporter rail demand in the hour before kick-off and the 30 minutes after full-time.

The review said that trains could take an additional 1,500 to 2,500 fans if supporters arrive earlier and leave later from games.

The rail firm have already added extra services and longer trains to try to meet the extra demand. Network Rail revealed to The Argus yesterday that they have been working alongside Southern Rail and the club to extend the platform at Falmer to allow passengers to alight from all eight carriages of trains.

Mr Weatherley said: “I have been contacted by a number of Albion fans who are keen to see Southern providing more trains at match times.

“If we are to support sustainable transport options, they cannot be inconvenient.

“I will be raising the train issue with Southern during a face-to-face meeting shortly.”

Albion director Martin Perry praised the rail firm for "performing brilliantly" and said the club is extremely grateful for their support.

He added: "Together with Network Rail, they have been hugely supportive of the club's stadium expansion plans, and we have already had a number of positive discussions with both Southern and Network Rail.

“They are planning to improve what is already an excellent service, which will create a better matchday operation for existing users and also cope with the additional demand related to the new seats at the stadium."

A Network Rail spokesman said: “We are working with Southern and Brighton and Hove Albion Football Club to extend the platforms to fully accommodate eight car trains so the doors on all carriages can open.

“We will carry out the improvements as soon as possible.”

A Southern spokesman said: “Southern runs the best service possible to get passengers to and from events at the Amex Stadium via Falmer railway station.

“On match days, the standard half-hourly service level is increased to provide trains every 10 minutes.

“These additional services run for at least two hours before and after a match, which is the highest frequency of service currently possible.”