Liverpool fans face FA Cup final travel problems

Direct trains to London have been cancelled after 08:00 BST on the day of the match

Liverpool fans heading to the FA Cup final at Wembley on 5 May will be unable to return by train for two days due to engineering work.

Virgin Trains said the 17:15 BST kick off meant "no options for fans to return north" until Monday 7 May.

Supporters will also not be able to travel direct to London from Liverpool after 08:00 BST on cup final day.

Passengers will be able to travel to the match against Chelsea via Manchester, Chester or Crewe.

'Essential improvement'

Virgin said engineering works would see "the route out of London closed on Sunday 6 May."

A Virgin Trains spokesman said: "We always try and help football fans get to and from matches on our network, and did this very successfully for Everton and Liverpool supporters travelling to the semi-final.

"However, on this occasion, as we explained to the FA, the choice of both a 17:15 kick-off and the staging of the FA Cup Final on a bank holiday weekend when Network Rail had already planned essential route improvement works means we cannot offer fans the level of train service they have come to expect."

A number of private charter trains are being planned to operate over the weekend.