New anti-vandal shelters are being installed at rail stations across Sussex.

Outlying stations in the county have been among the worst affected by vandalism and graffiti attacks.

The first of the new shelters have been sited at East Worthing, Berwick and Ore stations which have been particularly prone to heavy vandalism and more will be introduced across the South Central network, the main train operator in Sussex.

The shelters are made of stainless steel and are fitted with 11mm-thick toughened glass panels.

The structures are also coated in an anti-graffiti chemical, which ensures easier removal of any tags and makes cleaning easier.

South Central had become fed up with the increasing costs of removing graffiti and replacing station fittings.

At Ore, just outside Hastings, the old shelter had to be removed because it was so badly vandalised that it became dangerous to passengers using the station.

Vince Lucas, commercial director of South Central said: "We are looking at innovative ways to maintain a welcoming station environment in the face of persistent vandalism.

"These new shelters provide one more tool in our armoury to combat the anti-social effects of graffiti and other vandalism."