DIRECT services from York to London will be suspended for "several weeks" after an embankment collapsed spilling water and mud on to the rails.

More than three-quarters of a mile of track has been covered by 5ft of water and mud after the collapse at Heck, near Selby.

GNER have employed a fleet of as many as 50 buses to transport passengers from York to Doncaster while Railtrack workers assess the damage on the line.

An hourly service is in operation from Leeds to London and services north this weekend are being operated with buses to Newcastle.

The track near Darlington will reopen on Monday offering direct train services north from York.

Dave Mallender, spokesman for GNER, said: "We are providing as many trains as possible as far as we can and bridging the gaps in the services with buses where possible.

"The effects of the flooding are out of our hands and we ask passengers to bear with us as we endeavour to offer the fullest service possible."

He said the track at Heck would be closed for at least two weeks and GNER journey times will continue to be much longer than usual.

After Railtrack workers have pumped away the water the track will be cleared of mud before an inspection can take place.

Vicki Smith, spokeswoman at Railtrack, said: "Workers will be working hard over the next few days to clear the line and asses any damage the mud has caused.

"We hope to get the line clear as soon as possible although there will be inevitable delays to services."

Meanwhile Northern Spirit has undertaken a major programme to restore rail services across the region.

Managing director Nigel Patterson said: "We very much appreciate the way customers have been bearing with us during a difficult time.

"We are delighted to announce a major restoration of services from next week."

Services from York to Blackpool North will resume on Tuesday as will services to Manchester Airport and Liverpool.

Buses will continue to replace trains on the York-Scarborough route.

Further information is available by phone on 08457 484950 or on the Internet at www.gner.co.uk