More trains were late this summer than last year, according to performance figures released today.

The Shadow Strategic Rail Authority (SSRA) announced that just 88 per cent of Connex South Central trains ran on time between May and August, down three per cent from the same period in 1999.

It also found only 85.4 per cent of Thameslink trains kept to timetables, down two per cent.

The SSRA is due to decide in the next few weeks whether Connex keeps its South Central franchise.

An SSRA spokesman refused to comment on the the timing of the figures announcement.

Connex media relations manager David Ewart said quarterly statistics did not reflect the company's month-on-month improvement.

He said: "Obviously we are not happy. I think our customers will have noticed an improvement, though.

"But we are still running a service using Sixties stock and a Victorian infrastructure. We are investing heavily in improvements and will continue to do so if we win the franchise."

Connex has promised to spend an extra £1.4 billion on infrastructure and rolling stock if it is successful.

Rival bidder Govia, which owns Thameslink, says it will put in £1.5 billion.

The poor performances by both will not help the SSRA decide what is thought to be a tight contest between the companies for the South Central franchise.

Nationally, more train services were late this summer than last, with only three of 25 companies reporting an improvement.

One of these was Gatwick Express, which saw punctuality rise by three per cent to 89.3 per cent.

The best performing railway was the Island line, on the Isle of Wight, with 96.1 per cent of trains on time.

The worst was Virgin Cross Country with a 75.7 per cent rate.