Sussex rail passengers were again suffering travel chaos today as the second 24-hour walkout by train guards got under way.

Several morning rush-hour trains through Sussex to London were cancelled as members of the RMT union refused to turn up for their shifts.

But the main Sussex train operator, South Central, said it was able to run more trains than during last Friday's walkout as more guards than expected turned up for work.

One in four rush hour trains were cancelled, resulting in commuters crowding on to the services which were running.

Throughout the day 75 per cent of timetabled services across Sussex were scheduled to run.

Owen Richards, Crawley borough councillor for Southgate, takes the train to work daily between Crawley and Croydon.

Mr Richards said: "On Friday I drove to work because I knew there wouldn't be any trains. This morning the train was busier and later than usual.

"The strike seems to be about safety roles of guards and I can understand they are worried about that. I wouldn't condemn anyone for striking over safety issues."

The Rail, Maritime and Transport union said the 24-hour walkout was solidly supported by 3,000 of its members at nine companies across the country. A third walkout is planned for April 17.

The union today warned of more strikes unless the long-running dispute over the safety role of guards was settled.

The union says the introduction of more driver-only services jeopardises the safety of passengers.

They fear job cuts as more guards are replaced, with some put on duties collecting tickets and clamping down on fare evasion.

Steve Bence, operations director at the Association of Train Operating Companies, said several companies were running more services than they had planned.

He said "These guards clearly recognise that the strikes are pointless and unjustified. I urge the RMT to call off the strikes, which are causing considerable disruption to services."

Bob Crow, the union's general secretary, said the public was supporting the strikes.

South Central managing director Charles Horton said the strike had the potential to cause "significant inconvenience" and he warned travellers to expect heavy crowding.

The government is expected to give the affected train companies up to £10 million in compensation for the loss of business during the three one-day strikes.

Mid Sussex district councillor Colin Wilsdon said: "People in Hassocks have suffered enough from delays and cancelled services.

"The last thing they want is this sort of strike. I don't think the unions should exercise their union muscle over things like this. They are professional safety issues and should be dealt with by the proper bodies.

"The whole thing has been muddled by the union. I'm concerned the public has to suffer as a result of these silly games.

"The passengers are caught in the middle of it when there are other ways of dealing with it."

Thameslink, the other main Sussex-London operator, is not affected by the dispute as its trains do not have guards.