Trains are being delayed and cancelled as a result of a points failure leaving passengers stranded for over an hour.

The failure in Haywards Heath has caused services to be affected as the train operator has warned customers to leave plenty of extra time for their journeys.

Passengers have been told that disruption will be taking place for a number of hours after packing onto buses to continue their journey.

One passenger who was stranded at Haywards Heath said that she had been stuck for an hour due to the signalling failure.

After getting onto a bus to Brighton, she added: “It’s so full. I am going to have to stand all the way to Brighton.”

The passenger said that she was told disruption would be expected until 6pm.

The Argus: Bus passenger crammed onto trains after train services were delayedBus passenger crammed onto trains after train services were delayed (Image: Public contribution)

A Govia Thameslink spokesman took to Twitter to say: “Due to a points failure at Haywards Heath, services running through this station will be cancelled or delayed.

“If you travel, please allow plenty of extra time to complete your journey, and note some services may be altered and diverted at short notice.”

The operator, who run Southern, Thameslink and Gatwick Express services, added that tickets would be accepted on Metrobus services between Gatwick, Brighton and Horsham.