The saga of new trains for passengers in Sussex goes from bad to worse and no end seems to be in sight.

Their introduction was delayed when vandals broke into a siding at Brighton and damaged them. Then they could not be introduced all at once because there was not enough power on the lines.

The new trains then appeared to have insufficient air conditioning to cope with the August heatwave and their horns have caused alarm, waking neighbours up when they were going into tunnels.

Cyclists and disabled people complained there was not sufficient space for them to be guaranteed a journey.

The latest complaint is that refreshment trolleys cannot get down some of the aisles because the seats are too close together.

South Central is accused of cramming in seats to the detriment of comfort.

For all the company's fine words, this is a clear example of how profit has been put before passengers.

So long as people are on the trains, it does not seem to matter whether there is space for them to bring on heavy luggage, or even have easy access to a cup of coffee during their journeys.

For many years, passengers have been campaigning for the slam-door stock, built in the Sixties, to be replaced by modern carriages.

Now regulars are feeling nostalgic for the old trains which had plenty of room, proper guard vans - and space for a buffet car.