COMMUTERS on the Alton to Waterloo train line suffered heavy delays and overcrowding on Monday in sweltering temperatures exceeding 30C.

South West Trains has apologised for the disruption, which came about after a two inch kink in the rail was identified outside Waterloo station.

Four platforms at Waterloo were closed at 2pm and trains between Woking and Waterloo were cancelled, as a train shuttle service struggled to take the strain.

Arthur Pretorious, deputy customer service director at South West Trains, said: "I am truly sorry for the disruption to your journey yesterday.

"We had no choice but to put an alternative service plan in place to allow us to safely run the maximum amount of trains possible throughout the rest of the day."

For full story, see this week's Farnham Herald.