A line-side fire caused widespread delays as a limited train service ran between Ipswich and Colchester stations.

The fire damaged signalling equipment on the line between Colchester and Manningtree, which led to train cancellations all afternoon and left commuters stranded with no arrangement for replacement bus services.

The rail company warned users that the cancellations could last until at least 8pm but engineers managed to implement a signalling system to allow two trains per hour along the route.

Long delays are still expected on the mainline route that connects Suffolk and Norfolk to the capital.

The closure of the vital segment of track has lead to chaos at London Liverpool Street and long delays at Ipswich and Norwich stations.

An update on the Greater Anglia Twitter account at 5.15pm informed travellers that the line was now open but that ongoing disruptions are to be expected this evening.

The disruption has also extended to branch lines servicing Clacton-On-Sea and Harwich Town.