The rail company which will take over most Sussex trains had a worse punctuality record than current operator Connex between October and January.

Figures released by the Strategic Rail Authority showed Thameslink had the worst punctuality record in London and the South-East, with just 46.7 per cent of all day trains arriving on time between October 15 and January 6.

Connex South Central's score was 56.7 per cent during the same time.

Connex lost the South Central franchise to Govia, which operates Thameslink trains between Brighton and Bedford, after pledging to dramatically improve services in Sussex.

Govia is due to take over the franchise in 2003 but is in talks with Connex about stepping in as early as the spring.

Thameslink said today its poor performance was due to speed restrictions imposed following the Hatfield crash in October and heavy rain which caused landslides on the Brighton to Bedford line.

Shelley Atlas, of the Brighton Line Commuters, said: "It's worrying they have a worse punctuality record than Connex.

"It has been diabolical and we would not be at all happy with these figures. Part of it is due to the awful weather, but I am concerned we keep having the same problems on the same parts of railway line and nothing is done to stop it happening again."

While other train companies managed to dramatically improve their punctuality record each month since the Hatfield crash, Thameslink's record remained unchanged.

Connex improved its record from 54.5 per cent of all day trains arriving on time between October 15 and November 11 to 62.8 per cent in December 10 to January 6.

A Thameslink spokesman said: "At one point, there were 60 to 70 speed restrictions between Bedford and Brighton.

"The services are pretty much back to normal and the next set of figures should reflect that."

The company promised to have 15 in 16 trains running on time eight years after taking over.

Connex South Central came fifth out of ten companies operating peak services in the South East and London, with 47.1 per cent of trains arriving on time, while Thameslink came eighth with 42.3 per cent.

Gatwick Express managed only 48.5 per cent during the same period.

Virgin Cross Country, which operates services between Brighton and Edinburgh, had the worst punctuality record for long-distance, high-speed services, with only 24.7 per cent of trains running on time.