People living near a rail line are used to the noise of trains roaring through the tunnel. But South Central's new trains are driving them to distraction.

Residents in Highdown Road, Hove, have complained to the train operator and to Brighton and Hove City Council about the noise which wakes them up early in the morning.

The issue has been taken up by Goldsmid ward Labour councillor Vince Meegan.

He said: "I have had lots of complaints. The new trains have very loud horns and when they sound as they go through the tunnel, they wake everyone around Highdown Road."

Coun Meegan said people in Lorna Road had also complained about being woken at 5am and 6am.

He added: "I have raised this with the council and am waiting for a response from the legal team. I spoke to one of the drivers at Brighton recently. He told me they are obliged to sound the horn whenever they enter a tunnel."

The city council is unable to act because noise legislation does not cover sounds made by trains.

Mark Bhatti, of Highdown Road, lives near the tunnel and said the noise woke him and his family every morning.

He said: "South Central has introduced new trains and they have new horns which is causing the problem. The sound echoes, particularly in the cutting when they are going into the tunnel.

"I accept the need for trains to make a sound on going into the tunnel but the sound now is 30 decibels louder than in the old trains.

"It has woken me and my children early in the morning and I cannot get back to sleep as it sounds again. Lots of other people are saying the same."

He said it would be acceptable if the noise was reduced or if it could be muffled at night.

Mr Bhatti, who teaches at Brighton University, said: "It is affecting my health."

A South Central spokeswoman said: "The volume of the horns is in keeping with regulations laid down for rail safety."