A SIGNAL fault caused huge disruption to both GNER and Virgin rail passengers using the East Coast Mainline.

The signal failure, between Dunbar in Scotland, and Berwick at 6.30am yesterday morning was corrected at about 12.30pm but hit services for most of the rest of the day.

GNER services terminated at Newcastle while repairs were carried out and passengers were offered replacement coach transport to complete their journey to Edinburgh.

The stretch of track affected was later partially re-opened although delays of up to one-and-a-half hours in some cases continued for northbound travellers.

GNER spokesman John Gelson said: "Services fully resumed just after 1pm although the knock-on effect was that there was disruption during the main part of the day while we got trains which were in the wrong places back to the right places."

As a result of travellers' plans being affected by the signal fault, GNER lifted all ticket restrictions for the rest of the day.

The signal fault similarly affected Virgin Cross Country services between Newcastle and Edinburgh.

A spokesman said: "There was considerable disruption at the time due to the signalling problem.

"Trains were running through at normal speeds though once repairs had been made.