We made it through yesterday so why not go into work today?

Many showed solidarity with those in London by going about their daily lives in spite of the devastation caused by four bomb blasts across the capital.

Today at Brighton railway station, the chaos of yesterday's attacks gave way to an atmosphere of determination and resilience with people vowing they would not be beaten.

Many referred to the blitz and the days of the IRA when bomb scares were a part of everyday life.

Richard Hornby, travelling to London this morning, said: "We have been bombed before and we got through it then. We will do again."

Mr Hornby, 35, of Alexandra Villas, Hove, who works for Lambeth Borough Council in Brixton, said: "It must sound really pompous but this is about not being beaten. I imagine there will be the same sort of atmosphere when I get to London. People will want to stand together and get through this."

Although Brighton station was noticeably quieter and the ticket hall was almost empty, scores of commuters still made their way into London. Most were unnerved by the prospect of using the tube and buses.

Some Thameslink trains were cancelled due to technical faults but services to Victoria ran on time.

In London the Circle and Hammersmith and City lines were still closed but most other tube and bus services ran as normal.

Policemen armed with sub-machine guns stood on the station concourse while officers patrolled the platforms and ticket halls. CCTV vans kept watch outside while Southern Railways staff were on hand to advise people about their journeys.

Risk manager Jakline Staats found herself stranded in Brighton last night after travelling to Burgess Hill for meetings.

Ms Staats, 33, who lives near the Tower of London, was in New York when the World Trade Centre buildings were destroyed.

She said: "I am not fazed by what happened because I was in New York standing at the foot of the one of the towers. I remember looking up and seeing helicopters and planes and people throwing themselves from windows. It was sheer panic.

"When you think about that you feel really lucky that it has not been worse.

"For me the most important thing is to get back to my house and office in London. Yesterday people from our offices all over the world were sending e-mails to people they didn't know just to check we were okay."

Ken Bodfish, leader of Brighton and Hove City Council, was also at the station waiting for a train to London.

Coun Bodfish, on his way to visit friends, said: "I am not frightened and we must not be frightened. That is exactly what the terrorists want. If you stop going about business as normal then they have won. The only way to beat them is to continue with everything in as normal a way as possible."

He praised emergency services in Brighton and Hove for being ready and alert to respond to any threats to the city.

Greg Whitmore was going from Brighton to Farringdon today. He said he would avoid travelling on the tube.

Mr Whitmore, picture editor of The Observer, said: "I got a huge hug this morning and my two sons were worried because they heard about what was happening when they were at school.

"It worried me yesterday but we are getting on with it. There is a bit of the old Dunkirk spirit about.

"Of course there is a bit of concern, but we have got to carry on as normal."

Colin Clarke, 52, of Howard Road, Sompting, said: "I think people have been quite pragmatic. I used to go into London when the IRA were bombing us and you just get on with things. It becomes familiar territory.

"We have to carry on as we were and people are feeling determined. Even if they cannot get to their office because it is in the affected area, they are finding ways round it and still going to London."

A controlled explosion took place outside IT worker Sadie Fletcher's office near Victoria yesterday.

Ms Fletcher, 33, of Elm Grove, Brighton, said: "We made it through yesterday so why not go into work today? Everyone is trying to get back to normal.

"It was scary enough knowing we were just missed and I was in two minds whether to go to work today. I don't blame anyone who doesn't want to be in London because you just don't know what will happen. It would be a very brave person who actually travels across London."

Paul Robinson, 39, of the North Laine was working in Canary Wharf at the Financial Services Authority.

He said: "I got in a tube from London Bridge but it was stopped at Bermondsey and everyone had to get off.

"We stood around for a few minutes and then they evacuated the station and everyone started getting buses back to London Bridge.

"I walked over the bridge and got on the Docklands Light Railway which was still running but it closed soon after. I eventually got to work at about 10.45am.

"For the rest of the day it was pandemonium in London with all the police cars and sirens and ambulances "Because of where we work we were a bit worried when we realised what had happened and there were Chinese whispers going round the building but they all came to nothing because it had all already happened."

Gatwick airport remained as busy as ever and commuters continued travelling to work in the capital by train and by car.

Local authorities said they would continue with plans to celebrate VE Day on Sunday.

This morning Union Jack flags were flying at half mast on council buildings across the region in Adur, Arun, Brighton and Hove, Chichester, East Sussex, Eastbourne, Hastings, Horsham, Lewes, Rother, West Sussex and Worthing.

Bob Carden, Mayor of Brighton and Hove, urged the city not to let itself be paralysed by the scale of the tragedy.

He said: "They have got to take it with calm and try to let life go on. I can't understand how someone can take someone's life. It is appalling."

David Lepper MP for Brighton Pavilion, was on his way to his Westminster office when he about the explosions.

He said: "I was on the bus travelling through London at about 10am. The bus driver got a message over the radio and we all had to get off and walk.

"I walked to my office and tried to phone my wife to let her know I was okay but the mobile networks were all down. There were queues of people at all the phone boxes with people trying to contact their families. I cannot imagine the horror for those involved in this."

Eastbourne MP Nigel Waterson said: "My immediate concern was to make sure my staff were all right. This is something that was always expected following September 11 and the Madrid bombings and we in the Opposition give our full support to the Government in all they are doing at the moment."

Bexhill and Battle MP Greg Baker said: "I'm shocked by the appalling atrocity but none of us who work in London could be totally surprised that this has finally happened. I'm amazed and awestruck by the way in which our emergency services have responded so well and heroically to the tragedy."

He was driving past Edgware Road but didn't realise until he was on the M1 what had happened. "All I saw was the start of a stream of ambulances."

People from Sussex wishing to travel to London at the weekend were advised to check on events. It was unclear whether theatre performances and concerts would go ahead.

Sussex Action for Peace is holding a vigil at the Peace Statue at Hove Lawns on the Hove seafront tonight at 6pm.

Those who want to join the vigil should wear black armbands and bring candles and messages of support.