There are major delays to rush-hour services across south east London after police had to help a woman suffering from a mental health crisis off the tracks at Hither Green.

Southeastern said they were made aware of a trespasser on the line in the Hither Green area at around 2pm, and police were called to detain the person.

However, due to the central and mainline location of Hither Green on the train network, the incident is expected to cause disruption throughout the evening, impacting on tonight's rush hour services.

A BTP spokesperson said: "We were called at 2:07pm today (20/2) to an area of track between Hither Green and Lewisham following reports of trespasser.

"Officers attended and a woman has since been taken to a place of safety.”

They added that the woman they helped was having a 'mental health crisis', but was now safely in their care and recieving treatment.

The power was cut on the line as soon as the train operator was made aware of the trespasser, and all trains in the area were stopped.

Power has now been restored on all lines, but there are major delays to Charing Cross and Cannon Street services, with the Woolwich and Sidcup lines also badly affected.

The Bexleyheath is also currently closed for the week to allow Network Rail to carry out engineering work to protect the line from possible landslides.

Ticket acceptance is in place on all London buses between Lewisham and Dartford, and the Docklands Light Railway at Lewisham, Greenwich and Woolwich.

National Rail added that disruption is likely to continue until the end of service today.