Huge queues at Nottingham railway station ahead of play-off final

East Midlands Railway said it was running a full timetable and had "strengthened services where possible"

Hundreds of people have been queuing near Nottingham railway station ahead of the Championship play-off final in London later.

Nottingham Forest take on Huddersfield Town at Wembley and a win for the Reds would see them in the Premier League.

But some Forest fans due to travel by train have been unable to make their journey.

East Midlands Railway (EMR) said it was running a full timetable and had "strengthened services where possible".

In a tweet that was subsequently removed, the operator had told people not to travel to Nottingham for services to London, and asked travellers to make their journeys from other stations.

Nottingham Forest fans are heading to Wembley for the play-off final against Huddersfield Town

Nottingham Forest have not been in the Premier League for more than two decades, but that could change with a win against the Terriers.

The game is due to kick off at 16:30 BST.

Fans said they had been waiting more than an hour to get on their booked train.

'Stuck in a rut'

Andy said it was "mayhem" outside the station.

"We booked a train to leave at 09:26 BST and we've stood here for more than an hour," he said.

Some supporters were told to make alternative arrangements, as there was "no chance in getting a train".  

Jamie said it was "that busy", he was forced to order a taxi to Wembley, which he said would cost about £220.

"We went to Long Eaton [in Derbyshire], the trains were packed from there as well," he told BBC Radio Nottingham.

"We were just stuck in a rut basically, so we've had to get an Uber."

Services to London are "exceptionally busy", the rail operator says

Queues around the railway station had cleared by about 12:00 BST.

A spokesperson for East Midlands Railway, which runs the Nottingham to London service, said: "We are aware our services to London are exceptionally busy today.

"We know thousands of supporters are travelling to London for the play-off final.

"As a result, we are running our full timetable and have strengthened services where possible."

The rail operator added customers could buy tickets on the day as well as in advance, which could be used on any service that day.