Timetables for Southern trains are set to change on Sunday in an effort to make the service more reliable. 

Passenger numbers have doubled in the past two decades and Network Rail said it needs additional time to carry out essential maintenance and improvement work. 

A major change will see Southern trains departing after 00.05 and before 04.52 from London Victoria and return not running between Sunday to Thursday nights.

A spokesman for Southern services said: "The initiative will give Network Rail more time to carry out essential maintenance and improvement work overnight on the very congested Brighton Main Line, one of the UK’s busiest rail networks. 

"It will also help Network Rail deliver critical elements of a £300m improvement plan that was announced by the Government in January. Ultimately it will help provide a more reliable and punctual train service and reduce delays for more than 300,000 commuters each day on the Southern network. "

Passengers are being reminded to check the new timetables when planning journeys. 

For more information on the changes, which start on Sunday, click here.