RUSH hour trains were delayed as fire crews tackled a blaze at a level crossing.

Power to the rail lines had to be switched off just after 3.45pm on Thursday afternoon so firefighters could put out the 10-15 square ft of timber that had caught alight.

There were flames beside and between the tracks at Syndale Foot Crossing on the Western Link Road, on the B2045.

Train services between London and Ramsgate (via Faversham) and London and Dover (via Faversham) were delayed or cancelled.

The two engines sent from Faversham fire station were stood down at 4.45pm and the line was reopened.

The blaze caused minor damage to the railway infrastructure.

Most of the damage has now been fixed however, and the level crossing is expected to be reopened to traffic today once the repair work has been completed.

The fire is believed to have been caused by an external factor, rather than a fault with the railway infrastructure.