Passengers on some Sussex rail lines will find their trains leaving early to combat the annual problem of leaves on the line.

Some services on the East Grinstead and Uckfield lines will be leaving five minutes earlier as South Central begins its annual autumn battle with the falling foliage.

A special leaf fall timetable, which will run from September 28 to December 24, is part of the new winter schedule.

A spokesman said: "Winter is a testing time for train operators and their passengers so to maximise reliability many commuter services are rescheduled to start up to five minutes earlier during the leaf fall season.

"Passengers are advised to check at their local station for the changes."

Leaves on the track are ground into slime by the heavy train wheels.

This leads to slippery rails, which make it difficult for drivers to judge the stopping distance into stations.

Despite anti-slip solutions, sand on the tracks and drastically cutting back the foliage close to the tracks, rail companies have yet to eradicate the problem.

The leaf fall timings are among a series of minor changes in the new timetable.

There are few alterations to the main Brighton and Arun lines but the through west London link between Clapham Junction and Watford Junction will not be in operation on Saturdays due to engineering work.

For the first time in recent winters, there will be an hourly, instead of a two-hourly, service on the Hastings to Ashford line on Sundays.

In response to passenger requests, the 7.34pm, 9.34pm and 10.34pm Brighton to Seaford trains will also call at Southease.

The hourly service for Normans Bay on the Eastbourne to Hastings line will be reinstated.

John Oliver, South Central's business development manager, said: "This timetable includes some improvements that customers and passenger groups have been asking for.

"We remain alert to the needs of our passengers and I am pleased we are able to meet their requests where possible."

Copies of the winter timetable are now available at all South Central stations.

Information on all South Central and other national rail services can also be accessed via the web site www.southcentraltrains.co.uk Further details on travel conditions and ticket fares can be obtained from National Rail Enquiries.