The fastest journey on the London-to-Brighton line was achieved yesterday when a train completed the route in under 37 minutes.

An Electrostar train, with specially-invited guests on board, topped speeds of 100mph as it took only 36 minutes and 56 seconds to travel from London Bridge to Brighton.

It beat the previous record of 37 minutes 54 seconds for the journey, which normally takes more than an hour.

The line was specially cleared for the speed run, which celebrated the arrival of the last Electrostar ordered by Southern Railway to replace the old slam-door stock.

Brighton-based driver Peter Mantell, 44, said: "We had no red lights and it was green all the way. I was delighted to be part of the team which has broken the record."

Shelley Atlas, chair of Brighton Line Commuters, who makes the daily train journey from Brighton to London, was one of the guests on board.

She said: "It just shows what could be achieved. I asked the driver if he could do the journey in the same time every day but he and I realised it was not possible."

Lewes MP Norman Baker said: "I was pleased to be on the record-breaking train. I am hoping the rail infrastructure will improve so there can be quicker journeys between Lewes and Victoria."

The run raised money for the Railway Children charity and the London Bombings Relief Charitable Fund.

The guests were invited to make donations.