Ticket barriers have been introduced at Brighton Station to crack down on fare dodgers.

The £480,000 automatic barriers have been erected by train operator Connex to cut the estimated £30 million lost each year to ticket fraud.

The firm also hopes the barriers will prevent vandalism and crime on the platforms. Some manned barriers are being retained for parents with prams and people with mobility problems.

A Connex spokes-man said: "The barriers have been installed to combat fare evasion so the interests of honest, fare-paying customers who want to get to work are protected.

"They have also been introduced to combat crime and vandalism, which was reduced by 90 per cent when we installed them in Balham in London.

"People will have to get used to the gates. When they were installed at East Croydon there were some minor delays, but we now know that 44 people a minute are going through them."

He said ticket inspectors would remain on Connex trains and plain-clothes officers would apprehend and charge fare dodgers.

Shelley Atlas, of Brighton Line Commuters, welcomed the barriers. She said: "It's a very good idea and we have been waiting for them for a long time. They should help with ticket fraud."