Commuters faced huge delays and cancelled trains this morning after a suspicious package was found at Rainham Railway Station.

Police were called to the station in Station Road, at about 6.10am this morning after the package was discovered by staff.

The platform and ticket office were immediately evacuated and police cordoned off the area and called in the bomb squad. Witnesses heard a 'bang' at about 8.10am.

One woman, who lives just around the corner, said there were lines of commuters waiting in Station Road for a bus to pick them up to take them to Gillingham Railway Station to board a train to the capital.

The woman, 27, said: "The police extended the cordon at about 8am just as the bomb squad arrived.

Audio: KM Group reporter Jenni Horn, who was at the scene this morning

"It was just outside the station before that, but has now been extended up and down Station Road.

"There are lots of commuters waiting for the bus to come to take them to Gillingham and there are police everywhere.

"I spoke to one officer who said the road would remain like it was for several hours."

Alan Ivory of Teynham said just before 9am: "I was on the Cannon Street train that was stuck outside Rainham for an hour before going back to Newington.

"I Waited 30 minutes for a bus, which has now dumped a load of people at Gillingham.

"Nearly all trains to London not moving. I've just been told the next train to London is not until 9.20am."

A spokesman for Kent Police said: "The road was closed after a suspicious package was found at 6.10am."

Police later described the package as "non-explosive". The road was reopened just before 8.40am, and the station wasn't opened until 10am.

Some services were still delayed by early afternoon.