Engineers worked through the night to clear a landslip-hit railway line after tonnes of mud blocked the track.

The blockage, which came after heavy rain, was first reported on the Weymouth-Waterloo line in Hampshire on Thursday when passengers had to be taken off a train.

It caused major disruption as the line had to be closed while engineers assessed the damage and worked out a plan to remove the spoil and debris and repair the affected track.

The landslip happened at the entrance to Waller's Ash tunnel, Micheldever, near Winchester.

South Western Railway trains were diverted via Havant and bus replacement services were also arranged between affected stations.

CrossCountry trains between Basingstoke and Southampton were diverted via Salisbury.

The removal work continued yesterday and throughout the night.

Pictures from Network Rail show abseilers and big diggers on site helping to clear the obstruction.

A temporary wall has been created and the line has now reopened this morning following safety checks. The area will be permanently stabilised in further work being planned.

It is warned that train services running past the site this morning may still be cancelled, delayed or revised.