Sussex commuters could be hit if rail guards vote to take industrial action over their waistcoats.

South West Trains staff dislike their name badges and bright red waistcoats, which they say are uncomfortable.

The company runs six services a day to Brighton, stopping at Chichester, Barnham, Worthing, Shoreham and Hove.

The Reading-Brighton routes go via Basingstoke and are popular with commuters and sightseers.

Several hundred members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union are being balloted today and the result will be announced on Thursday.

The union said there were numerous industrial relations problems, including disputes about working conditions.

Guards are objecting to wearing name badges because they believe they make them more of a target for abuse.

They are also thought to be unhappy about the waistcoats and say they are uncomfortable in hot weather.

A spokeswoman for South West Trains said today: "They would have to give us a week's notice for any strike action. We are surprised they have called the ballot. They are alleging a total breakdown of communications which we deny."

Shelley Atlas, of Brighton Line Commuters, said: "The Reading-to-Brighton services are very important because they bring a lot of people from Oxford and that sort of area.

"I have to say that this is like me saying I am not going to go to work because I don't want to wear shoes.

"I can understand them making representations to their managers but not to take this out on customers. It seems to be a ludicrous reason for possible strike action."