Rail bosses are holding urgent talks this afternoon with train conductors who are threatening to strike unless they get more protection.

Conductors on the Connex coastal trains have threatened to bring evening services to a halt if bosses fail to offer them assurances today that they will introduce immediate measures to protect staff.

Representatives of the Rail, Maritime and Transport workers' union, will meet Connex bosses at the company's London headquarters.

One conductor, who did not want to be identified, said: "We want certain issues addressed and sorted immediately.

"From the management side, we are looking at having a very hard time up in London. If we don't hear what we want, the lads will call to come out."

The conductors say they have fallen victim to repeated attacks by passengers, the most recent last week when two people were arrested for assaulting a conductor on a South Coast train.

Most problems involve trains running after 9.30pm, particularly between Brighton and Portsmouth Harbour.

Conductors say they have little or no protection from yobs who board without tickets, often in a drunken state.

They want more staff on evening trains and more security staff and policing.

The conductor added: "Who would ask a group of drunken youths if they've bought tickets when you're on the train on your own? The conductors are getting scared out there."

The conductors have said they will refuse to man any trains after 9.30pm if today's talks do not address their concerns.