RAIL services were disrupted today along the East Coast main line between York and Doncaster following a freight wagon derailment.

The incident took place between Hambleton and Templehurst at about 4.30am. Railtrack officers are still investigating how it happened. The East Coast service was reduced to running on a single line, and GNER trains were limited to two every hour between York and Doncaster. Virgin and EWS trains were diverted from Doncaster.

Meanwhile, motorists taking to the roads of North and East Yorkshire were warned to brace themselves for serious delays.

Heavy traffic hotspots are likely to be the coastal routes including the A64, the A166 and the A165. Roads leading to the weekend's two big air shows at Elvington and Rufforth may also be affected.

A spokesman for AA Roadwatch said: "We are expecting traffic to be very busy, particularly if the weather stays fine. We advise motorists to keep monitoring the situation."

A spokesman for the PA weather centre predicted unsettled rainy weather for Saturday and Sunday and a mostly dry outlook for Monday.