A platform was damaged after a train hit an "obstruction" on the track, causing services to be suspended for several hours.

The line running between Dartford and Northfleet was blocked after the object was hit near Stone Crossing Railway Station just before 6am on Thursday.

Southeastern warned commuters that disruption was expected until the end of the day.

Network Rail said: "We’re working with British Transport Police to investigate, but the obstruction has damaged the train and also dislodged part of the platform.

"The train has suffered damage to its shoe gear, which draw power from the electrified rail. Without the working shoe gear, the train can’t move.

"We have engineers on the way to start repairs, but it looks like we will need a rescue train to pull the damaged train clear."

Trains between London Charing Cross and Gravesend could only run between London Charing Cross and Dartford.

High-speed services were not affected and ran normally between Gravesend and Ebbsfleet International.

Customers were told they could use Arriva bus routes at no extra cost – including routes 480, and Fastrack A or B between Gravesend and Dartford.

Thameslink also provided a replacement bus service running between Higham and Gravesend.

A rescue train had to be brought in to pull the broken down locomotive away.

At 12.14pm, Southeastern tweeted to say the line had reopened but Stone Crossing station remained closed while repairs were being carried out.

Network Rail later confirmed that a vehicle had knocked into the side of the railway fence, which dislodged a piece of trackside equipment, pushing it onto the railway and was caught by the train.

Passengers for Stone Crossing were advised to change at Dartford.

In the early hours of Friday, Southeastern tweeted: "Repair work at Stone Crossing was completed overnight, and Platform 1 is open again in time for the first trains this morning."

Network Rail added: "We'd like to thank passengers for their patience whilst we carried the work out."