Trains are getting back to normal after long delays today.

Buses replaced trains between Colchester and Ipswich after a tree fell on to a rail track early this morning.

Firefighters were called to reports of a train hitting a tree near Manningtree at 6.40am.

It later emerged a branch had fallen across overhead power lines and caught fire, as a result of high winds.

Trains terminated from London at Colchester, with Norwich trains stopping at Ipswich and a replacement coach service running. Trains to the Harwich line were also suspended.

Ellen Rossiter, spokesman for rail operator One, said: "A train driver on the 6.22am train from Liverpool Street to Norwich noticed the tree and stopped on the London side of Manningtree station. All power points were shut down."

"When an incident happens we do tend to have a delay, but things are going back to normal," she added, shortly after services finally resumed at around 10.40am.

Delays continued throughout the day, and to add to the problems information about services became unavailable from One railway's website after it experienced technical difficulties.

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