Rail passengers face further disruption, with LNER saying it won't be able to start returning its Hitachi-made Azuma trains into service until early next week.

The disruption, which is also affecting other operators, follows the discovery of cracks in the Hitachi 800 trains, leading to safety checks being made and trains taken out of service.

LNER operates Azuma trains on the East Coast Main Line, with stops including Grantham. Hull Trains also operates the Hitachi 800 trains between Hull and London and they too also stop off at Grantham.

But as Nub News has reported, Hull Trains said on Sunday, its services have resumed following such safety checks.

Today, London North Eastern Railway (LNER) announced it has reached an agreement with Hitachi and industry partners to begin the process of safely returning trains into service.

Hitachi, train operators and the government, with oversight from the rail regulator, have agreed a service recovery plan for the safe reintroduction of some of the Class 800 trains that were taken out of service.

All parties say safety remains the top priority.

David Horne, LNER Managing Director, said: "I am pleased we have been able to work as an industry to agree a service recovery plan with Hitachi and industry partners that will allow trains to return safely to our route.

"We are continuing to work together to begin the return

of Azuma trains into service early next week. "Customers should continue to check before they travel with LNER, and I apologise for the disruption caused." The service recovery plan will enable some services to be reinstated into timetables, helping to get more passengers moving on the rail network. A 75 per cent timetable is currently in operation across the LNER route with passengers advised to check before they travel. To help provide additional services, LNER has reintroduced an InterCity 225 into passenger service on the route connecting London with West Yorkshire. A second InterCity225 is expected to follow in the coming days. Ticket acceptance with other operators is also in place for some routes. Customers are reminded to check lner.co.uk for the very latest travel information and updates.