A campaign group has welcomed a decision not to electrify two East Sussex railway lines.

Members of the Wealden Line Campaign (WLC) said the Government's decision meant it could concentrate on reopening the rail link between Lewes and Uckfield.

Campaigners for the Rail Passengers Committee said they were "bitterly disappointed" at the decision not to electrify the routes between Uckfield and Hurst Green and Hastings and Ashford.

But director of the WLC Brian Hart said the Wealden line was a far more important issue.

He said: "By confirming new diesels instead of electrification, the minister has cleared the air.

"Everyone can now concentrate on the issue of importance, which is reopening the link between Lewes and Uckfield.

"For too long discussions on the line's future have been bogged down with endless talk of electrification.

"While everyone wants to see this in the end, it will never make economic sense with the line stopping at Uckfield."

Mr Hart said the WLC would gather support for the campaign. Independent studies have shown the project cost the same as a typical road bypass.