Stranded passengers have been rescued after their train crashed into a fallen tree this morning.

Southeastern services were unable to run from Dover Priory towards Ramsgate as the line from Walmer to Deal was blocked by a fallen branch.

The crash happened around 7am due to high winds.

A spare train was being connected to the carriages so passengers could get off the stuck carriages.

Trains only began running normally again shortly before 2pm.

A spokesman for Southeastern said at 8.30am: "The rescue train has been able to attach to the damaged train and will very shortly take the damaged train back to Dover and clear the line."

The rescue had been hampered until engineers could remove the tree.

The rescue train and passengers have returned to Dover but a further fault has occurred on the damaged train so the line remains blocked.

Replacement bus services from Ramsgate to Dover were put in place.

The spokesman had earlier said that the fallen branch was struck by a train and has caused some damage to the train."