Trains were unable to run last night after youths threw a shopping trolley on to the track and damaged a rail.

Services were suspended between Eastbourne and Hastings at around 10pm on Tuesday (October 17) because of the disruption.

National Rail engineers arrived on site at around 11pm then removed the trolley however they discovered damage to the electric power rail.

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A spokesman said at the time: “Network Rail response teams are on site and have removed the trolley.

“There's been some damage to the electric third rail which they've then had to repair, which is why it's taken longer than initially expected for the line to reopen.”

It was not until after midnight that services were able to resume.