Station staff called East Sussex Wildlife Rescue and Ambulance Service after spotting the injured creature near tracks just north of Eastbourne station.

Rescuers donned safety tabards and were guided by station staff up the line to Whitley Road bridge to collect the animal.

"The fox was very poorly and we got within six feet of it before we used a net to secure it and catch it," said rescue co-ordinator Trevor Weeks.

Helped by WRAS rescuers Tony Neads and Arron Banks, the fox was secured and carried back to Eastbourne Station where it was examined and found to have a head injury.

It was taken to WRAS casualty care centre at Horsebridge where it is being treated for its head injury and infection.

Trevor said, "We would like to thank all the commuters for letting the station staff know about the fox and the staff at Eastbourne Railway Station for contacting us so promptly.

"We hope he will make a complete recovery and will eventually be released back where he was found."