Commuters were faced with long delays after a train was cancelled early this morning following the discovery of a "suspect package".

The 5.55am service from Shenfield to Southminster service was delayed at Wickford this morning while police investigated an unattended rucksack on the train.

The delay meant that the 6.48am service from Southminster had to be cancelled.

The train left Wickford at 7.17am as scheduled.

An Abellio Greater Anglia spokesperson said: "We would like to apologise to customers for the cancellation of the 06.48 service between Southminster and Wickford this morning, and for the inconvenience this caused.

"The incoming service for the 06.48 departure was unfortunately delayed at Wickford while Police attended to check a suspect package found on the train."

A spokesman for British Transport Police said: “We were called to Wickford station in Essex at 6.16am on Wednesday, 23 July to reports of an unattended bag on a train.

“The item, a rucksack, was not found to be suspicious and has been reported as lost property.”