Rail chiefs have promised to keep Hassocks station open and give it a makeover.

Residents feared the station was being downgraded and would be closed after train operator Govia axed some of its main services.

Now Govia has promised to revamp Hassocks station and improve services.

Govia - which runs South Central and Thameslink trains - has told residents that the station is one of 160 along the South Coast which are earmarked for an upgrade.

Residents have welcomed the decision. They feared the station was being deliberately run down with closure in mind after they lost several services to London, one of the main commuter routes from the village.

Closure would have meant them having to drive miles to Burgess Hill or Haywards Heath before catching a train.

They say they were originally promised the station would be rebuilt before services were axed.

Martin Walter, communication director for Go-Ahead -which runs day-to-day services for Govia - asked residents to be patient.

He told a meeting of Hassocks Amenities Association: "We have specifically stated the station will be upgraded. What is happening at the moment is stations are being sorted out by property developers.

"Until we see those plans we have got nothing to debate. Probably in early New Year we should start to see plans going through.

"Hassocks is on the agenda and there is no question of reducing any services or closing any stations."

Mr Walter said the company wanted to have an average of four trains an hour stopping at Hassocks and he suggested direct trains to Victoria outside commuter hours might be reintroduced.

Members of the association pointed out that Connex had promised a complete rebuild of the station rather than just an upgrade.

Mr Walter said Govia had no record of such a promise and people would have to wait for plans in the New Year to see what an upgrade would involve.