A metal bar was thrown on a train line.

The object landed onto the conductor rail near Gravesend station this afternoon and due to the high voltage has welded itself to the track.

Network Rail response teams were on site and have removed the bar. There has been no damage to the track.

County-bound services were unable to run through Gravesend but as of 3.15pm all lines were reopened.

Disruption was expected until 6pm tonight as trains could be cancelled or altered while rail staff work to get the services back on time.

As of 4pm, the Southeastern services were running normally.

Earlier, trains were still running to and from Dartford from Gravesend but High Speed services via Faversham were being diverted after Ebbsfleet via Ashford International.

There was also no Thameslink services running beyond Gravesend meaning trains were not going to Higham, Strood, Rochester, Chatham, Gillingham or Rainham.

Customers could use their tickets at no extra cost on Fasttrack buses between Ebbsfleet and Gravesend, the 190 bus between Gravesend and Strood and on the Arriva 480 and 490 bus routes between Gravesend, Bluewater and Dartford.

Passengers travelling from St Pancras and Stratford to the Medway Towns, Faversham and Ramsgate via Gravesend were being advised to take the London Underground to Victoria for mainline services towards Ramsgate.