The number of trains running on time in Sussex has fallen, new figures reveal.

A total of 87.5 per cent of Connex South Central trains arrived on time between June 25 and September 16 this year compared with 91 per cent for the same period in 1999.

The Shadow Strategic Rail Authority figures for Thameslink fell from 87.5 per cent to 85.2 per cent during the same period.

In contrast, punctuality on the Gatwick Express service rose from 87.1 per cent to 89.2 per cent.

Nationally, punctuality fell on 21 of the 25 passenger train company routes while three companies showed an improvement.

A spokesman for Connex - which in June was branded the most unpopular train company in England by the authority - blamed a shortage of between 50 and 60 drivers for the figures.

He said: "The service continues to be affected by driver shortages. We shall continue to work hard to improve our overall performance."

A Thameslink spokesman blamed a rise in customers which had caused longer boarding times at stations.

He said the Thameslink 2000 project, which is being considered at a public inquiry, would expand services from Sussex to the capital and improve the company's performance.

Connex and Thameslink are competing for the right to run the South Central franchise. The result is expected later this year.