Long delays are being seen in the Channel Tunnel after a Eurotunnel train suffered a power failure.

Hundreds of passengers were evacuated from the train from the France-bound train earlier this morning after it lost power about a quarter of the way through the tunnel.

A total of 382 passengers were taken to the French terminal after a second train arrived was coordinated in the opposite direction.

Passengers were, however, forced to leave their cars.

Eurotunnel carries passengers in their cars between Folkestone and Calais.

A Eurotunnel spokesman said: “The evacuated passengers are now at the French terminal and are waiting for the affected train to arrive so they can get their cars.

“We are advising people who don’t need to travel today to travel on another day.

“There are queues building up and travellers should expect delays throughout the day.”

The firm continues to run services in the one unblocked tunnel but has stopped taking bookings for the day.

Eurostar, which operates passenger trains through the tunnel running between London and Paris and Brussels, said it had been forced to cancel four services and warned passengers on trains that were running to expect delays.