A pheasant caused delays for commuters trying to make it into London this morning.

Southeastern Railways had to start the 7.20am service to London Charing Cross from Tonbridge instead of Tunbridge Wells.

It tweeted the change of plan to followers and told them it was due to animals being on the line.

When challenged by a follower they explained the troublesome animal was a pheasant.

Angry customer Alexander Farrimond tweeted: “Can you hear what you just said? One pheasant? Caused an entire train to be cancelled. I want my money back.”

He added that it was laughable.

A spokesman from Southeastern said that a different service had to be suspended because the train had hit a pheasant.

The bird shattered the windscreen, making it unsafe to continue.