A rail passenger had to race from a new train to use a toilet in an old slam-door carriage on the other side of the platform.

Dozens of travellers found there were no toilets working on the service from Victoria to Brighton.

The problem with the toilets is the latest to hit rail operator Southern's fleet of Class 377 Electrostar trains, introduced to replace the older slam-door models.

One commuter, who lives in Regency Square, Brighton, said he could hardly wait after the journey.

He said: "When I got off the train I had to nip across to one of those slam-door trains, use the toilet and hope it did not move off."

He said the service was full of end-of-week commuters, who could not find a working lavatory on the train.

He added: "I think there should be something in the way of compensation for people who have been put in this situation.

"There was no indication when I went to catch the train at Victoria the toilets on the train were not working.

"When they ordered these trains they must have known that those toilets needed emptying. Why did they not address the problem because it is fundamental?"

Toilets on the Electrostar trains lock automatically when they are 80 per cent full, unlike older carriages where waste is emptied on to the tracks.

Waste is stored on board, to be emptied by special equipment. The equipment only exists at certain depots, including Brighton, and more need to be constructed.

A Southern Trains spokeswoman apologised to the passenger and said if he wrote asking for compensation the request would be considered.

She said: "We are trying to refurbish our depots as quickly as we can so we have the equipment working."