Hot weather has been blamed after Great Western Railway cancelled all direct trains between London and Oxford.

Passengers have been told to change at Didcot after the changes were made to allow speed restrictions to be put in place.

Network Rail said the restrictions would be in place between 1.30pm and 7pm today as rail track temperatures are set to soar to more than 50C.

Here are the latest cancellations this evening: 

•    13:50 London Paddington to Oxford – Cancelled

•    16:49 London Paddington to Oxford -  Cancelled

•    17:36 London Paddington to Oxford – Cancelled

•    18:31 Oxford to London Paddington – Cancelled

•    20:31 Oxford to London Paddington – Cancelled

Local stopping train services from Oxford to London Paddington will call at booked stations but may be delayed due to speed restrictions.

The restrictions will be in place on the major junctions into and out of London Paddington.

Great Western Railway said most services should run on time but may take up to 15 minutes longer.

The company advised passengers to drink plenty of water, check before they travel and help staff look out for vulnerable people making journeys in the heat.

Great Western Railway spokesman James Davis said: “With temperatures in London set to exceed 30C, the effect can bring the temperature of the rails to over 50C, and we have been asked by Network Rail to drive more slowly as a result.

“We will continue to keep an eye on the situation, alongside Network Rail, and keep you updated throughout the day.”

 Network Rail said its "modern rails" were more resistant to heat expansion and buckling than in the past but temperatures were so high speeds had to be cut for safety reasons.