Rail passengers face hours of delay following damage to overhead power lines between Durham and Chester-le-Street

A spokesman for Network Rails said damage was reported to the line, between Durham and Chester-le-Street, shortly after noon.

He said: “There was disruption throughout the afternoon because electric trains - run mainly by Virgin - were unable to use that section.

“But all other services would have been affected.”

Services on the line resumed at 4.25pm and workers will be on site during the evening getting the track ready for tomorrow.

The spokesman said: “Electric trains in the meantime can do what we call coasting.

"As the trains are approaching the section affected they will turn off their engines and coast through and then switch their electricity back on again. It is perfectly safe.”