A major rail route connecting Scotland and England has been blocked by flooding.

The West Coast Main Line is closed between Carlisle and Lancaster following recent downpours.

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Services run by Avanti West Coast from London Euston to Glasgow and Edinburgh via Birmingham are affected, as well as trains operated by Northern and TransPennine Express.

Ticket restrictions have been lifted and rail replacement buses will be deployed between Preston and Carlisle.

Passengers were warned that some journeys could take up to two hours longer than normal.

Disruption is expected to last until at least the end of Thursday.

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A speed restriction was implemented for trains in Cumbria and north Lancashire between 5pm on Wednesday and 10am on Thursday due to the wet weather increasing the risk of landslips and flooding.

Network Rail said it is working hard to repair and reopen routes as soon as possible.