Rail passengers travelling between Norwich and London are set to experience ten days of disruption over the festive season as a result of engineering works.

A project to modernise and replace overhead lines on the mainline in east London will result in the use of replacement buses on part of the route.

The works will mean no National Express East Anglia Services on Christmas Day and Boxing Day and no trains between Ilford and London Liverpool Street between December 27 and 28 and January 1 to 3.

However, Network Rail said that disruption will be 'kept to a minimum' as passengers will be able to travel on the Norwich-London route on the working days of December 29, 30 and 31, but on a reduced level of morning and evening peak hour services.

Passengers travelling on the mainline are recommended to take a bus from Ingatestone into London during the works.

A Network Rail spokesperson said: 'Britain relies on rail and our investment in modernising the Great Eastern mainline, one of the busiest commuter routes in the country, will deliver a better, more reliable railway for passengers.'

'Demand on this busy commuter route is significantly lower over the festive period, so it makes sense to carry out the work at a time that minimises disruption to passengers.'

East Midlands Trains and First Capital Connect services in the county will not be affected by engineering works over the Christmas and New Year period.