Eurostar delayed after line closure

EUROSTAR services are running with delays this morning following a technical problem that stopped trains for more than three hours yesterday evening.

The UK's high-speed line was closed after a driver spotted smoke in the tunnel under the River Thames, near Ebbsfleet in Kent.

Firefighters found no evidence of a fire but carried out a full search of the line as a precaution.
Passengers were stuck on trains between about 19.00 and 22.30 and four late-evening trains had to be cancelled.

A number of people spent the night sleeping in the waiting area at Saint-Pancras station in London.
Eurostar said it was "highly regrettable" that passengers were inconvenienced, but said "safety had to come first in this instance".

Passengers who were unable to travel last night will be able to use their tickets today. However Eurostar has warned that there will be a high volume of passengers this morning.