PASSENGERS travelling on train services across Hampshire are experiencing major delays this morning.

All electric trains are unable to use Southampton Central railway station, one of the busiest in the region.

Operators South West Trains said the problem was due to to a power failure which meant electric trains did not have enough traction to come through the station.

All power had been restored by 10.30am but delays were estimated at being at least an hour.

Diesel trains operated by First Great Western, CrossCountry and by South West Trains between Salisbury and Southampton via Chandlers Ford and Romsey will be able to operate to a limited service.

Tickets were being accepted on other routes including First Great Western, Southern rail and Cross Country services, say South West Trains.

Replacement buses were running between Fareham and Southampton Central and also between Eastleigh and Southampton Central.

Those buses were in operation by 9am this morning according to train operators but delays were expected.

According to SWT there is currently one train an hour operating between Weymouth and Bournemouth, and one train an hour operating between Bournemouth and Southampton Central.

A train service will also operate between Southampton Central and Romsey via Eastleigh while a reduced train service will operate between Basingstoke and Eastleigh.

The disruption is expected to continue until 1pm.

Chanel Lambert has been stuck at Southampton Central rail station for nearly two hours, the 25 year old underwriting assistant from Southampton said: "This is really frustrating, the service on these trains is always rubbish with delays or cancellations and it's not on.

"I'm lucky and my work has been really understanding but I have missed a couple of buses which means I have a half hour walk at the other end of this journey and I'm not happy." 

Kevin Skinner, 41, a warehouse manager from Havant, is trying to look on the bright side after also being stuck at the station for two hours. He said: "It is really annoying but there isn't really much we can do about it. The staff are really understanding and tying to keep everyone's spirits up so we just have to be patient I think and hope some other transport comes." 

Paul Buckland, 52, head of department for Isle of Wight College, woke up at 6am to get to a meeting in Chichester.

He said: "It's a bit of a disaster that's cost £40 and I have nothing to show for it because I've missed the meeting.

"But I must say the staff have been brilliant even if the train service is not."