Hundreds of thousands of pounds are being spent on improving Mid Sussex railway stations in a bid to attract new customers.

Railtrack and Connex are planning to improve the stations at Haywards Heath, Wivelsfield, Burgess Hill and Hassocks, although some of the work is subject to Connex regaining its operating franchise.

At Haywards Heath, an eight-month improvement programme, starting next month and costing Connex £800,000, will include a new forecourt, ticket gate area and toilets.

Plans for Wivelsfield include a new ticket office, new waiting shelters on both platforms, new canopies and new toilets.

Railtrack plans to start improving Burgess Hill next month, and Connex is talking to Puccino's with a view to the company selling coffee in the north-bound waiting room during the morning peak period.

At Hassocks, a new ticket office which doubles as a shop for groceries, newspapers and other goods, will be built by 2003 at a cost to Connex of about £300,000.

In the meantime, Hassocks station is being repainted and cleaned. Connex is also talking to the Hassocks Horticultural Society about the society providing flower baskets.

Trevor Davey, who chairs Hassocks Amenity Association, said Connex was interested to know what people thought about issues including the siting and number of ticket offices, CCTV, car parking and taxi ranks.

Other issues discussed at a meeting with rail officials included villagers' anger about the withdrawal of off-peak trains from Hassocks to London Victoria and the timing of last trains to Hassocks from London and Brighton each day.

Another meeting involving the same parties will be held in October. Mr Davey said: "Connex's open mind regarding the planning for a new station is very encouraging."