Sussex rail users could miss out on compensation for disruptions to services because the refund process is too complicated.

Connex has so far paid out almost £4.5 million to monthly or longer season ticket holders following disruptions caused by speed restrictions after the Hatfield crash in October.

The money, provided by the Strategic Rail Authority, has refunded each passenger 15 days' worth of travel, an average of £85.

Monthly or longer season ticket holders are also eligible for a discount of seven per cent when renewing their tickets.

But Shelley Atlas, of passengers' group Brighton Line Commuters, said passengers were getting a raw deal.

She said: "There are different procedures for different kinds of tickets which are being treated in different ways. Many people are confused about what they are eligible for.

"Surely it is only fair for everyone, no matter what their tickets are, to get a proportion of their money back."

The reduction on monthly and longer season ticket holders includes a five per cent discount which had been running for more than a year before the Hatfield crash after Connex failed to meet punctuality targets.

An extra two per cent was added after train services were disrupted further because of speed restrictions and bad weather.

Weekly and daily ticket holders are eligible to receive a proportion of their fare in the form of travel vouchers.