UPDATE - Rail services disrupted between Sleaford and Boston after train damaged by fallen tree near Heckington

UPDATE - Engineers have managed to move a damaged train which was causing disruption between Sleaford and Boston after it struck a fallen tree earlier this morning (Monday).
Train hit a tree near Heckington. EMN-190403-121639001Train hit a tree near Heckington. EMN-190403-121639001
Train hit a tree near Heckington. EMN-190403-121639001

The incident happened when the 6.13am from Boston, the first train service of the day, is said to have run over the fallen tree on the line just a mile west of Heckington.

A spokesman for East Midlands Trains dealing with travellers affected by delays at Sleaford said the impact has done considerable damage to the couplings and running gear, as well as shaking up the passengers.

The tree had been blown down overnight by the high winds from Storm Freya.

Another train was sent to pull it clear of the debris and collect the stranded passengers as the one they were on could not continue in its current condition.

East Midlands Trains said in a statement on Twitter that specialists engineers had been sent out to make repairs to the train. Services should begin to return to normal in the coming hours.

They said train tickets will be accepted on Stagecoach bus number 57 between Skegness and Boston which departs Skegness on the hour and Boston at 22 minutes past the hour.

The company is also sourcing alternative transport to continue services between Sleaford and Nottingham.

A bus had also been sourced to depart Skegness Station at 8.10am and another to depart Sleaford Station at 8.45am.