Trains in Kent have been delayed because of a reported trespasser.

There has been disruption to services in the county because of the incident near Gillingham this evening.

Southeastern said at the request of police, power to all lines at Gillingham was turned off, meaning trains in the area could not move.

Services were disrupted for several hours with some delayed or cancelled altogether.

Passengers reported being stuck on trains in several parts of Kent including Sole Street, Medway, Sittingbourne, Sandwich and Deal.

One passenger told KentOnline that the announcements on board said a person was on a bridge at Gillingham.

Southeastern tweeted earlier: "We understand British Transport Police have the trespasser in custody.

"As soon as it is safe to do so, Network Rail will restore power to the lines in the area and we will begin to get trains back on the move."

The power was off for around an hour.

Southeastern said: "The signalers are working to get all trains in the surrounding area back on the move ASAP."

In response to complaints from passengers, they tweeted: "Each service is being moved on a train-by-train basis and some services are having to 'repower' after being stopped for so long, this is for safety purposes and follows a backlog which has been built up."

The operator has been highlighting its Delay Repay scheme which allows passengers to claim compensation if they are delayed for more than 30 minutes.