RAIL passengers are being warned to expect delays after heavy flooding on the Chester and Ellesmere Port Line.

Merseyrail confirmed that there will be delays to services due to heavy flooding at Hooton with Chester and Ellesmere Port bound trains disrupted.

Rail services to Chester may be terminated at Rock Ferry and disruption is expected to last until 5pm.

A replacement bus service is in operation between Hooton and Chester until further notice.

In a statement, Merseyrail said: "Excessive rainfall has caused flooding around the Hooton area and services are currently disrupted on the Chester line with rail replacement buses between Chester and Hooton stations.

"With more heavy rain forecast overnight an amended service and timetable will run tomorrow, Thursday 13 June, on both the Chester and Ellesmere Port lines.

"On Ellesmere Port line a 30 minute rail service will run between Ellesmere Port and Rock Ferry stations where passengers will then change for services in to Liverpool city centre.

"On the Chester line a rail replacement bus will run between Chester and Hooton stations, where passengers will then change on to a rail service at Hooton and again at Rock Ferry for trains in to the city centre.

"Wherever possible more trains will run.

"Journeys will be significantly longer and passengers are advised to leave plenty of time and check merseyrail.org or @merseyrail on Twitter before they travel.