Northern Rail trains travelling between Sheffield and Lincoln via Worksop and Retford have been delayed while Network Rail engineers carried out essential maintenance work overnight.

Ben Green, who commutes to Worksop everyday from Sheffield, had to wait around 40 mins for a train home last night.

"What angered me the most was the lack of information given out while waiting for the train at Worksop station," he said.

"Myself and a number of other people were just left hanging around not sure of when, or indeed if, the train was going to come."

Coaches were put on between Sheffield and Worksop earlier this morning, but normal train service has now been resumed - although there may still be slight delays.

A Network Rail spokesman said the maintenance work involved repairing wires linking signal systems and assured passengers that they weren't in any danger.

But they said cable thefts caused huge delays and inconveniece - and even put the thieves themselves at risk.

"This has been a massive problem nationally for the past two years due to the rising price of copper," they said. "It has only been happening in pocket areas, but the problem seems to be growing."

"It means we can't carry out other important improvements on the network, which means rail passengers lose out," they added. "And the thieves are putting themselves at huge risk by cutting highly electrical wires."

Anyone who sees any suspicious activity is urged to contact British Transport Police on 0800 40 50 40.