A COMMUTER train heading to London was delayed by more than two hours after becoming stuck by ice on the line.

The 05.08 Southern Railway service from Eastbourne to London Victoria was stranded between Lewes and the Keymer Junction this morning.

The train left Lewes at 5.30am but its 18 minute journey to Haywards Heath took two hours and 28 minutes.

The service was then cancelled.

Network Rail closed the lines between Lewes and Haywards Heath and a bus replacement service was drafted in.

The operator urged anyone travelling between the towns to make their journey via Brighton.

Kerry Simpkin was travelling to his job in Westminster on the 5.30am train from Lewes when it ground to a halt.

Mr Simpkin said Network Rail engineers had been on the scene trying to deice the rails.

Lines between the two towns have now reopened.

A spokesman for Southern said: "Due to ice affecting the conductor rail, trains cannot take power and we aren't able to run services between these stations. Replacement buses are in place."