Rowdy passengers are causing delays on a London-bound train by setting the emergency alarm and forcing their carriage's doors open.

The unruly group is being blamed by Southeastern officials for the hold-ups on the 5.30pm service from Ramsgate to Victoria.

The rail operator says the disturbance started at Margate.

A spokesman said: "The service is being delayed after passengers causing a disturbance onboard.

"The emergency alarm has been pulled multiple times and the doors were forced open while the train was trying to leave the station."

Response staff have been sent to the train, which is being held in Herne Bay.

Passengers onboard had already suffered delays to their journeys, after a tresspasser was discovered on the line between Margate and Faversham.

The power to the track was switched off, until police apprehended a suspected intruder.