A “do not travel” alert has been issued after a freight train derailed on a major route between England and Scotland.

Services are being cancelled and delayed because of the incident, which happened on the West Coast Main Line between Carlisle and Oxenholme Lake District on Wednesday evening.

Some lines are blocked, with a very limited service running on the line that remains open.

The train involved was a DB Cargo UK freight service that was leaving Shap Fell Quarry in Cumbria at around 4.30pm yesterday.

Two of the train’s wagons, which were carrying limestone, derailed, a DB Cargo spokesman said. He added that the company wished to apologise for the disruption caused to passenger services.

Nobody was injured in the incident and an internal investigation is taking place.

Major disruption to passenger trains on the West Coast Main Line is expected until the end of Thursday, National Rail Enquiries said.

The West Coast Main Line is expected to re-open this afternoon, meaning trains from London can start running through to Carlisle and on towards Scotland again.

“DB Cargo UK would like to apologise to commuters disrupted by the derailment of one of its trains near Hardendale in Cumbria yesterday evening,” a spokesman said.

“We are working as quickly as possible with Network Rail and all interested parties to ensure that the West Coast Main Line can reopen as quickly as possible.”