Train fares are being slashed by up to third as part of a campaign to get people off the roads and on to the rails.

Train operator South Central is reducing fares from Sunday on some Sussex lines.

It follows a campaign by Lewes MP Norman Baker, backed by local councils, get more people to commute by train between Seaford, Lewes, Eastbourne and Bexhill.

Mr Baker became angry when he saw trains with empty seats speeding past the trafficclogged A27 during rush hours.

Backed by Lewes District Council and East Sussex County Council, Mr Baker urged South Central to come up with an attractive fare structure package which would make it worthwhile for people to go by train rather than road.

South Central has responded by reducing the cost of a weekly season ticket for commuters travelling into Lewes from stations between Seaford and Southease to £10. This is a reduction of 33 per cent.

From Sunday, the cost of a weekly season ticket between Eastbourne and Lewes will be reduced from £23.20 to £15 and from Bexhill to Lewes the fare will drop from £30.30 to £20.

The £15 weekly fare to Lewes will also be available from Berwick, Polegate, Hampden Park, Pevensey and Westham and Pevensey Bay.

The new fares will be available for six months, longer if they prove a success.

Mr Baker said: "I put forward the idea of the cheaper fares to encourage more people to use the trains. With the backing of the local councils, South Central has, to its credit, listened and taken action.

"It is not only quicker and more reliable by train, it is now cheaper."

David Franks, managing director of South Central, said: "We are committed to working with local communities to develop schemes that will encourage more people on to our services.

"But we recognise this can only be done in unison with a train service that is reliable and meets our prospective passengers' needs."

Today the policy was welcomed by commuters.

University lecturer Dr Paul Dawson, who has been critical of high rail fares, said: "This looks like a step in the right direction towards a more unified transport system."