SERVICES have been suspended on the East Coast mainline between Kings Cross and Peterborough, hitting travel plans for people intending to reach the North-East.

East Coast advising passengers not to travel today due to the severe disruption. "East Coast is advising all of its passengers not to travel today, as all train services to and from London King’s Cross have been suspended for the rest of the day, due to damage to overhead power lines at Huntingdon, near Peterborough," a spokesman said.

"East Coast is also advising all passengers who have arrived at King’s Cross to go home and restart their journeys tomorrow.

"All East Coast passengers currently en route travelling from the north and south to/from London King's Cross will terminate at or before Peterborough."

Ticket restrictions have been lifted for passengers currently travelling today to help get people to their final destination.

East Coast tickets will be accepted for travel on alternative routes, and passengers are advised to use: East Midlands Trains services between London St Pancras and Yorkshire; Virgin West Coast Services between London Euston, Manchester and Scotland Arriva Cross country Services between Sheffield, Leeds, York and the North East Transpennine Express Services between Manchester, Sheffield, Leeds and York.

Other passengers with East Coast tickets for travel today can use their ticket for travel on an alternative service tomorrow.

East Coast managing director Karen Boswell said: "East Coast apologises for the inconvenience this will cause to passengers who are planning to travel today, due to severe damage to the overhead power lines at Huntingdon.

"Network Rail staff are on site and are working fast to fix the problem but unfortunately we currently have no estimate as to when the line will re-open.

"Our staff are working hard to get our passengers currently on route to their destinations as soon as possible with the minimum disruption."