Twenty three trains had to be cancelled during the early morning rush -hour on Friday after a train ground to a halt following a power failure.

Southeastern’s 4.52am Gillingham to London Charing Cross service which goes via Strood, had just left Gillingham station when it came to a standstill.

The service was eventually cancelled after being delayed for 80 minutes.

The early morning problems caused severe knock-on effects later, with 23 trains cancelled and delays and disruptions to later services.

Many trains ran up to 20 minutes late. Problems were also caused on the Medway Valley line between Paddock wood and Strood because some train crews were displaced by the delays.

A spokesman for Southeastern said: "The train was checked and fitters attended, but it appears the problem lay with the power supply from the 750-volt conductor rail. Because the 0.452 was delayed by some 80 minutes, the service was cancelled and the train was later moved to Grove Park maintenance depot for further inspection.

"We are very sorry passengers on train services via Strood experienced delays and disruption to their journeys this morning, caused by the failure of an early London-bound train that suffered a loss of power within minutes of leaving Gillingham station. The reasons for this are being investigated by Southeastern and Network Rail."