Rail fares from Sussex to London will rise next year, but the increases will be below the rate of inflation.

The Shadow Strategic Rail Authority will limit price rises to one per cent below inflation for the third year running.

It means that from January, Connex and Thameslink will only be able to raise their fares by about two per cent at the current level of inflation.

Shelley Atlas, of passengers' group Brighton Line Commuters, said: "This is a realistic figure and I recognise that if they don't go up, the train companies could turn around and say they can't deal with the problems that needed to be sorted out.

"One would expect the fares to increase to pay for a better service. It is good to know that price rises will be lower than we thought."

David Lepper, MP for Brighton Pavilion, said: "I think this announcement shows an understanding on behalf of the Shadow Strategic Rail Authority that train users have suffered enough in recent months."

Anthony Smith, national director of the Rail Passengers Council, said: "This is bad news on the back of poor performance figures in many areas.

"Passengers might be happy to pay more if they are receiving a punctual and well-run service.

"But we are some distance away from that at this stage. Many people will be thinking that they deserve price decreases rather than increases and that they should not be the ones funding improvements."

Authority spokesman Gavin Bostock said: "It would be nice if there were no increases at all but if we are to see improvements in services then that needs money."