AN INCIDENT involving a number of passengers has caused railway delays.

Trains between Ford and Barnham were delayed on Wednesday evening after a number of passengers caused a “disturbance” on a train.

At 3.45pm, Southern Rail announced on social media that delays were expected between the two stations.

"As a result of an earlier incident of passengers causing a disturbance on a train between Ford and Barnham, delays are expected," a Southern spokesman said on Twitter.

"You can travel as normal, but we'd advise leaving an extra 15 minutes if you're planning to travel through the area."

Passengers reported the affected train, which was heading towards Southampton Central, was diverted to Bognor.

In an update more than half an hour later, the Southern Rail spokesman said there were still some delays on “a handful of services along the coast towards Bognor Regis, Portsmouth and Southampton”.

By 4.30pm, services had returned to normal between Ford and Barnham.

Southern Rail added: “If you've been delayed by 15 minutes or more then please claim delay repay.”