TRAINS were blocked due to a vulnerable person on the railway.

The incident stopped services on the Brighton Main Line at about 11am.

A Southern Rail spokesman said: “Due to reports of a vulnerable person on the railway between Gatwick Airport and East Croydon, all lines are blocked. Services running through these stations will be delayed or cancelled.”

At 11.50am he provided an update and said: “The person is safe and trains are going to be able to run through the area at normal speed again very shortly.”

He added that disruption resulting from the incident and "a number of incidents earlier today between Gatwick Airport and East Croydon" is expected to last until 3pm.

He said: "Services are currently returning to normal speed running through the affected area, due to a road vehicle colliding with a bridge between Earlswood and Salfords.

"A trespassing incident had also taken place between Gatwick Airport and East Croydon earlier today.

"services were forced to come to a stand and the power turned off to allow emergency services to safely apprehend the trespasser.

"All lines are now clear and the trespasser has been removed from the railway and power turned on.

"Services are beginning to run through the area."