Sussex train travellers have been hit by a double price rise after changes to two discount fare schemes.

Rail firms have stopped passengers using Network Railcards for journeys costing less than £10.

Passengers who used to buy off-peak tickets from Brighton to London with a card for £6.65 must now pay a third more.

At the same time, the £10 West End Saver ticket was replaced with a £12.50 Price Buster ticket.

The cheapest ticket between Brighton and London is now £10.05, rising to more than £28.30 during peak time.

The Transport 2000 pressure group has accused rail companies of hitting travellers with a "double whammy".

Mick Duncan, public transport campaigner, said: "Sussex commuters have really been hit hard. The changes to the Network Railcard come at the same time as the West End Saver has been withdrawn. It is obvious the rail companies want to ditch the Network Railcard.

"There are 360,000 Network Railcard users at the moment.

"I am positive there will be a huge drop next year as people say it is not worth buying for £20 as it will only apply to journeys costing £10 or more."

Shelley Atlas, chairwoman of Brighton Line Commuters, said: "There is concern at the ticket price rises following the new restrictions put on the use of Network Railcards.

"It is clear the rail companies want to phase these cards out. Railcards are a good way of encouraging people to travel by rail at off-peak times.

"In the long run it will mean less train travel and the rail companies will lose out."

The Association of Train Operating Companies said the decision to introduce the change last Sunday was made because rail companies were losing money on the cut-price fares and customers with discounted tickets were adding to crowding during the evening rush hour.

Marsid Greenidge, spokesman for South Central, the main operator on the Brighton line, said: "We realise it has been a dramatic increase for some passengers but the decision to end the £10 Saver ticket was taken with the Association of Train Operating Companies to make fare structures more effective.

"There are still lots of bargains to be had on rail travel."

The changes mean the price of a cheap day return from Brighton to Gatwick for a railcard owner has now gone up from £5 to £7.60, Chichester to Brighton £5.50 to £8.30 and Haywards Heath to London £7.80 to £10.