Train disruption caused by a landslip in the recent storms is set to continue for another month.

Heavy rain and gales caused a landslip under the track in Ockley, Surrey, before Christmas. The slip caused much of the ground beneath the tracks to fall away meaning trains are unable to run between Dorking, Holmwood and Ockley.

Train services from Hackbridge, Carshalton, Sutton, Cheam, Ewell East, Epsom, Ashtead and Leatherhead going south towards Horsham are being disrupted with replacement bus services taking passengers between the three affected stations and trains taking people between Warnham and Horsham.

Network Rail’s route managing director for Sussex, Tim Robinson, said: "Hundreds of our staff have been working in difficult conditions on the railway over Christmas to repair landslips, remove trees and also keep our planned engineering works running.

"The most difficult challenge now is the landslip at Ockley, where more than 40 metres of the embankment has collapsed. It is also in a very difficult location to access, so we estimate it will be at least a month before we are able to run a full service on that line.

"We are sorry for the disruption this causes to passengers and we appreciate how patient they have been this Christmas."