Lightning strike causes disruption on the rails

National Rail said trains between Droitwich Spa and Birmingham New Street could be affected until the end of Monday

A lightning strike has damaged a signalling system leading to disruption to some services out of Birmingham New Street for the rest of the day.

Monday morning's strike damaged the system between Bromsgrove and Droitwich Spa, closing some rail lines. Services between New Street and Droitwich could be cancelled and a bus replacement is running between Longbridge and Bromsgrove/Worcester Foregate.

The National Rail website said affected passengers would be able to use their tickets on some other lines and rail replacement buses.

The UK experienced its hottest day of the year so far on Monday with storms breaking out across the country. A house in Sheldon, Birmingham, was hit by lightning.

West Midlands Railway said tickets could be used on Transport for Wales services between Shrewsbury and Hereford, as well as Great Western Railway services between Worcester Shrub Hill and Hereford.