Passengers face travel misery as rail services across Sussex are crippled due to strike action.

Trains will come to a standstill for a second day of rail strikes by drivers’ union Aslef in an ongoing dispute over pay and conditions.

The walkout coincides with today’s FA Cup final between Manchester City and Manchester United at Wembley, as well as the Epsom Derby and other sporting and music events.

While the Rail Delivery Group said around 40 per cent of trains across the country will run today, no Southern, Thameslink or Gatwick Express services will operate anywhere in Sussex.

Services will also be impacted until around 7am tomorrow following the strike, with the first trains of the day expected to be “extremely crowded”.

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Jenny Saunders, customer services director for Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) - which operates Southern, Thameslink and Gatwick Express services, said: “We’re sorry that this period of industrial action is again likely to disrupt travel and people’s plans, especially during half term week and for events such as the Derby Festival where no rail services will be able on either Friday or Saturday.

“We urge passengers to check before they travel for the latest information.”

The Rail Delivery Group said the strikes were causing “disruption and frustration” for people hoping to travel by train today.

A spokesman for the organisation said: “It will inconvenience families who have been looking forward and have planned their half term holidays.

“It will also further burden our people who have already lost thousands of pounds at a time of financial strain.”

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Aslef general secretary Mick Whelan told the Press Association there is “no waning in enthusiasm” from train drivers to continue taking industrial action.

He said: “We are determined to get a resolution and remain in this for the long haul.

“It is time for the government to step back from interference which is preventing a deal - drivers, in line with other workers, deserve a pay rise after four years without one and inflation running, over the latest 12 months, north of ten per cent.”