A lightning strike on a rail signal box at Wimbledon has created delays of more than an hour on trains across south-west London.

A South West Trains spokeswoman said lightning struck the signal box about noon, disrupting services through Wimbledon to as far afield as Clapham and Waterloo.

She said services were slowly being restored but passengers could expect delays to remain until 2pm.

Engineers believe the delays will be cleared in time for the evening peak.

Delays of up to 50 minutes have been reported on Southern trains between Victoria and Epsom. Tickets are being accepted on local buses.

South West Trains says services between London Waterloo and Epsom, London Waterloo and Guildford and between London Waterloo and Basingstoke have been hit by delays.

Tickets are being accepted on local bus routes and London Underground services.

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