TRAIN services were disrupted this morning when a freight train broke down on the line in the village of Bearsted, near Maidstone, between 7.30am and 8am.

The blockage of the line, which is also used by passenger services, affected services between Ashford and Maidstone.

South Eastern Trains arranged bus services for passengers affected, while a locomotive was sent to tow the broken down train away.

Passengers on the replacement bus service then faced further delays following a three car accident on the M20 at junction 6.

No-one was injured in the accident, which happened at about 8.30am on the London bound carriageway, and the cars were cleared on to the hard shoulder shortly afterwards.