Commuters on high-speed trains through east Kent have been experiencing long delays today.

Southeastern services between Ashford International and St Pancras International were affected by over-running emergency engineering works.

It left passengers delayed by up to an hour this morning, with tickets being accepted on the London Underground.

The delays were caused by a points problem near Ashford, with trains having to run at low speeds between Ashford and Ebsfleet.

Southeastern, which advised customers to swap to the mainline service to Charing Cross or Victoria, said normal service was expected by around midday.

A spokesman for the firm said: "We're sorry for the disruption to the service today.

"Unfortunately our services were delayed because of some damage to points on the high speed line earlier this morning.

"Network Rail and HS1 Ltd worked quickly to repair the track so we could get our service back up and running.

"However, we've had to run some trains at a reduced speed throughout the day causing knock-on delays to the service."

Eurostar trains were also affected by the over-running works.

But high-speed services from Faversham via Ebbsfleet International were unaffected by the disruption.