A BICYCLE left on the tracks at a rail station damaged a train and caused major disruption to passengers.

The train drove over the bicycle, which was left at Deal Station, at about 5.30am this morning jamming a piece of metal in the railway carriage.

Repairs and safety checks are ongoing.

Police and fire crews are in attendance while train users continue to face long delays between Ramsgate and Dover.

"It potentially could have derailed the train," said a spokesman for British Transport Police who are investigating the incident.