Virgin Trains have told passengers heading south tonight on the West Coast main line to abandon their travel plans after serious flooding in the Lake District.

Services between Glasgow Central and London Euston were running around an hour late from 3pm after heavy rain flooded the area between Penrith and Oxenholme.

Travellers were originally told replacement buses were being laid on and compensation would be paid for delays of more than 30 minutes.

But at 6.30pm, Virgin tweeted: "We are advising all customers travelling south from Scotland to abandon travel tonight. Tickets are valid for travel tomorrow."