THOUSANDS of rail passengers are set for hours of delays after someone was hit by a train between Colchester and Manningtree.

Mainline services are set to be disrupted until 11pm after the 4.32pm train from Liverpool Street struck a person at Ardleigh.

Train services between Liverpool Street and Stratford, Shenfield, Colchester, Ipswich and Norwich are being disrupted in both directions.

A spokesman for Greater Anglia said: “We are sorry if your journey is affected by this problem.

“We are working as quickly as possible to resolve this problem and restore a normal train service.”

Abellio Greater Ablia organised alternative bus services.

Train services were restored around 8pm.