Trains have been cancelled for the rest of the evening after an umbrella caused substantial damage to a railway line.

Services are unable to run between Faversham and Margate due to urgent repairs to the track near Whitstable.

Replacement buses are running between the two towns and the line is not expected to reopen this evening.

Other trains may be diverted to run via Dover and Sandwich.

A statement by Southeastern said: "Whilst investigating reports of a power supply problem, response staff from Network Rail have found damage to the track near Whitstable after an umbrella came into contact with the rail that provides power to our trains.

"The repairs that are needed are quite substantial and we do not expect the line to reopen again today."

A spokesperson for Network Rail confirmed damage was caused to the coastbound line near Joy Lane, Seasalter.

"We believe an umbrella short circuited the 750V live rail with the running rail, and started a fire," they said. "The intensity of the arcing between the rails caused the damage.

"It’s very unlikely we’ll be able to run trains on the coast-bound line tonight, and we’re working with Southeastern on whether we can run in the other direction.

"Bear in mind, even if the [London-bound] line is open, if we can’t get trains down the other end, there won’t be any trains there to come back."

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