Train passengers face delays over the Christmas period as services from the county face major disruption.

Thameslink is warning seasonal travellers to check before they travel as services between Christmas Eve and New Year between Gatwick and London are shut down.

Roger Perkins for Thameslink said: “Network Rail’s work is essential to improve the reliability of the track and infrastructure which will be better for our passengers in the long run.

"But it will take considerably longer to travel south of East Croydon and we urge people to plan ahead at National Rail Enquiries, especially if they are using Gatwick Airport this Christmas and New Year.”

He also described the work “to modernise and expand the railway is absolutely vital to the region’s economic health”.

The Bedford to Brighton Thameslink service will be affected.

Journey times will be extended by over 60 minutes and customers going to or from Gatwick Airport and stations further south are advised to travel via East Grinstead which will be linked with Three Bridges and Gatwick Airport by bus.

The disruption is down Network Rail engineers replacing the junction at Purley, with work starting late on Christmas Eve and lasting until January 3.

This period includes three working days on December 29 to 31 and journeys are warned to take “significantly longer”.

Passengers are encouraged to check with www.nationalrail.co.uk or their operator before they travel.