Commuters experienced delays of up to 45 minutes this morning after overhead power problems caused disruption on the Norwich-London rail line.Train services heading to the capital were held up from about 6am after Network Rail reported a defect at Bentley, near Manningtree.

Commuters experienced delays of up to 45 minutes this morning after overhead power problems caused disruption on the Norwich-London rail line.

Train services heading to the capital were held up from about 7am after ice on an overhead wire at Bentley, near Manningtree, triggered an automated safety system alert.

A spokesman for Network Rail said engineers carried out an inspection and found no fault. Trains began running again at about 8am.

A spokesman for National Express East Anglia said some passengers were delayed for up to 45 minutes, but the timetable had returned to normal by 10am.

The spokesman said that the problem was not thought to be linked to ongoing Network Rail works to improve the overhead power cables on the mainline route. He added that any customers who were delayed by 30 minutes or more could claim for compensation under the train company's passenger charter.