Commuters at Brighton station this morning largely welcomed the news it was goodbye Connex.

There was agreement that the French-owned rail company deserved to lose its franchise on the Brighton line.

Commuters said they hoped its replacement, Govia, would do better.

Connex currently runs just one off-peak fast train an hour on the Brighton line.

Jason Keel, 30, a personnel consultant who travels from Eastbourne to Brighton, said: "I am completely chuffed they have lost their franchise.

"They have been disgraceful. My connection at Lewes is not made at least three times a week because of delays on the line to London.

"I was nearly on the train that crashed outside Lewes last year. It was only because I had a late call at work that I missed the accident."

Sarah Corney, 27, who commutes between Brighton and Chichester, said: "I think Connex trains are terrible. There are constant delays and they do not tell you what is happening.

"I tried to get to Stansted Airport during the floods and got stuck at Haywards Heath. We were not told what was happening."

Alex Powell, 34, a civil servant, who commutes to London, said: "It serves them right. I hope the new operator will do better."

But Vicky Solman, 25, a beauty consultant who travels between Angmering and Brighton, was surprised Connex had lost.

She said: "Their trains are always on time. They are much better in Sussex than in the Midlands."

Melanie Lombard, 23, just about to get on her train to Burgess Hill, said: "Connex are dreadful. Their trains are frequently late, but I find it hard to distinguish between them and Thameslink. I can't think a new operator will improve things."

Diane Nadin, 24, an accounts administrator, who also commutes to Burgess Hill, also hoped for a better service. She said: "I usually find my train has been delayed or cancelled, especially in the evenings. I just hope things get better."